South Korean publisher prepares poetry collection in solidarity with Palestine

In Seoul's Mapo district, a unique cultural space named 'Eolguldeul' (Faces) serves as a hub where publishing, art, and social movements converge. Run by Kang So-young, the space is more than just a publisher; it's a book salon, cafe, and performance venue, described as a "cultural hot spring" where various forms of expression and activism erupt.

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There are benefits that cannot be measured in money. The panels and participants should benefit, and that is more important to me. I do this publishing or space operation with the mindset that I have to do something.

Kang, who has spent 15 years in publishing and seven years in filmmaking, has a long history of solidarity with various causes, including the struggle for Gangjeong Village, the abolition of the anti-abortion law, and the Palestinian cause. Her publishing work spans diverse fields, from humanities and social sciences to art, with titles like "Finding Kim-gun," which explores the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, and "Battleground," addressing reproductive rights.

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It's definitely not a profitable business, but it's difficult to measure the immeasurable merit in terms of 'loss' and 'profit'.

Recently, Kang launched a series of slim, independent publications called "Eolgul-deul" Zines. The first season features contributions from activists, critics, and translators, including a piece by former labor leader Kim Jin-suk. These limited-edition zines, printed in runs of 300-500 copies, are available only in select independent bookstores across the country. Kang emphasizes that the sales might be a burden for bookstores, so she distributes them selectively to places that align with her vision.

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I wanted to create a book that was appropriate in price while maintaining the identity of a thin and easily deliverable book called a 'zine'. I just hoped that the manuscript would be 'this person's own thing' and wanted to set a fair price with impeccable craftsmanship. I asked the writers, 'Write the story you want to write most right now, the hot and urgent one.'

Currently, Kang is deeply involved in the Palestinian peace movement. She is working on the publisher's first full-length book, tentatively titled "Response Poetry," which aims to be a poetic reply to "Palestinian Poetry, Poetry for Palestine," a collection published in August 2025. This new anthology will feature Korean poets responding to the Palestinian experience, a challenging endeavor that requires commissioning new works. Kang sees her role as both a publisher and an activist, facilitating connections and solidarity within the space, which has become a meeting point for those engaged in Palestinian advocacy.

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People who come to 'Eolguldeul' hold seminars related to Palestine, and people who recognize each other at protests exchange numbers and start interacting. They become comrades who start talking to each other.