Korean Translators Grapple with AI's Rise and Global Expansion Challenges

Korean translators are confronting a dual challenge: the limitations in expanding Korean literature's global footprint and the rapidly advancing capabilities of artificial intelligence. At the '2026 World Translators Conference' in Seoul, translators shared experiences highlighting these growing concerns.

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I regret yielding too much of my perspective. I decided not to work with that editor again. When reading a novel, people think only the author's skill is important, but the translator's skill and the editor's skill are also important.

One significant hurdle is navigating cultural and ethical differences with foreign publishers. Translator Jeong I-ren recounted a difficult experience translating a fantasy novel, where a French editor requested the removal of phrases related to "student records" and descriptions of weight gain, deeming them "ridiculous" or "hate speech." Such instances underscore the complexities of conveying culturally specific nuances across languages and the potential for friction.

The rise of AI in translation presents another profound challenge. Discussions at the conference, particularly in the session "The Development of AI Technology and the Future of Translation," centered on whether AI is an adversary or an ally to human translators. This technological shift forces translators to reconsider their unique value proposition in a world where machines can process vast amounts of text with increasing accuracy.

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The translator's choice inevitably betrays the other. Ultimately, translators are required to redefine their role as 'ethical intermediaries' who constantly question how their interpretation reveals and distorts the other.

Professor Lee Sang-bin of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies argued that human translators must move beyond simply competing with machines on efficiency. He emphasized the need to redefine translation as an "ethical event," highlighting the inherent incompleteness of translation and the translator's role as an "ethical intermediary." This perspective suggests that the unique human capacity for contextual understanding, cultural intuition, and ethical reflection is where the future of human translation lies.

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Translation is inherently incomplete.

Stein Ahn, a Korean-American poet and translator, offered practical insights into using AI as a tool to secure more time for the core aspects of translation. This reflects a broader trend where translators are increasingly expected to take on diverse roles, including those of cultural curators and agents. The conference underscored that in the face of these evolving challenges, human translators are not working in isolation but are part of a complex ecosystem requiring adaptability and a redefinition of their craft.

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The role of active osmosis is precisely what translation is.