Woori Bank marks author Park Kyung-ni's 100th birthday with 100 million won donation

Woori Bank is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of renowned author Park Kyung-ni with a significant cultural initiative. The bank announced on August 19th that it has signed a business agreement with the Toji Cultural Foundation and will donate 100 million won (approximately $72,000 USD) to support literary endeavors.

Park Kyung-ni, celebrated for her epic novel "Toji" (The Land), has a unique connection to Woori Bank. Before her literary debut, she worked as a bank teller at the Yongsan branch of the Commercial Bank of Korea, the predecessor to Woori Bank, starting in 1954. She published her first long poem, "Sea and Sky," under her birth name, Park Geum-yi, in the bank's internal magazine, "Cheonil." Even after leaving the bank, she continued to contribute short stories to the publication.

As part of the commemoration, Woori Bank will provide crucial support for the English translation and publication of "Toji," aiming to introduce Park's masterpiece to a global audience. The bank is also sponsoring the Park Kyung-ni Literary Prize for this year and will host a special exhibition at its "Woori 1899" history hall in Seoul. The exhibition, running until September 18th, will feature works Park published in the Commercial Bank's magazine and personal belongings, offering a glimpse into her life and career.

Woori Bank CEO Jung Jin-wan expressed the bank's commitment, stating, "We will actively support Park Kyung-ni's great literary heritage, which has a special connection with Woori Bank, so that it can spread globally and resonate even more." The initiatives aim to honor Park's legacy and promote Korean literature internationally.

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We will actively support Park Kyung-ni's great literary heritage, which has a special connection with Woori Bank, so that it can spread globally and resonate even more.