Students from Russian-speaking countries on May 30 attend a class on basic translation of literature offered by the translation academy of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI). (LTI)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong

An amendment to the Literature Promotion Act has enabled full government support for the development of expert translators for the global spread of domestic literary works.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Dec. 31 said a National Assembly plenary session passed the revision allowing the Literature Translation Institute (LTI) of Korea to set up a graduate school of translation.

Through the school, the ministry and LTI Korea can thus train 70-80 translators every year and award master's degrees to them.

Through quality translations, they plan to more actively introduce Korean literature abroad and raise its status on the global stage.

Launched in 2008, the academy has produced a combined 1,514 translators, or 89 per year. Because it offers no degree, however, its recruiting of outstanding teaching staff and students has been limited.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon said, "Thanks to this revision, we can develop excellent translators to spread Korean literature to the world more and further raise its global status."

dusrud21@korea.kr