The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on the 30th that it received a first edition poetry collection of Korea's representative poet Yun Dong-ju's "Sky, Wind, Star and Poem" from an anonymous benefactor.
This poetry collection represents modern Korean literature, capturing poet Yun Dong-ju's pure lyricism and deep reflection on humanity. It is a 1948 edition that contains 31 handwritten poems received directly by Yun from friend and Korean literature scholar Jeong Byeong-uk.
Before leaving for studies in Japan, poet Yun Dong-ju entrusted the manuscript of the poetry collection to his friend Jeong Byeong-uk in 1941.
Before being conscripted as a student soldier, scholar Jeong Byeong-uk entrusted it to his mother in Gwangyang, and she cleverly preserved it in a jar with straw under the floor.
After the war, scholar Jeong Byeong-uk organized the manuscript and published "Sky, Wind, Star and Poem" in 1948, which is the first edition that was recently donated.
Although poet Yun Dong-ju lived a short life, he left a profound mark on Korean literary history through his works which are woven with deep introspection and anguish, characterized by unique sensibility.
Yun's poetry conveys a timeless impact that transcends nationality and era, exploring the desire for national independence during the Japanese occupation period alongside life's hardships, hopes, and intrinsic human values.
The donated first edition, considered a literary and historical treasure, is expected to inspire many, including KAIST members. It is seen as a significant opportunity to instill creativity and a spirit of challenge in students, realizing KAIST's progressive philosophy.
It also aligns with KAIST's vision of "convergence of science, humanities, and arts," which KAIST has been promoting to encourage students to cultivate artistic sensibilities in their daily lives, regardless of their majors, through the recently inaugurated art museum.
President Lee Kwang-hyung said, "KAIST has received not only poet Yun Dong-ju's first edition poetry collection but also two Picasso works from anonymous benefactors last year and this year," adding, "This reflects the shared belief in KAIST's philosophy that science, technology, and cultural arts possess a common value of 'creativity.'"
He continued, "In the future, KAIST will strive to display various art pieces in the art museum, providing students and members with opportunities to consider people first and create a hopeful future."
The first edition poetry collection of poet Yun Dong-ju, which was donated, is scheduled to be exhibited at the KAIST art museum starting January 2025.