(LEAD) Ex-Culture Minister Lee O-young dies at 89
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details throughout)
SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Yonhap) -- Former Culture Minister Lee O-young, one of South Korea's most revered literary critics and novelists, died of cancer Saturday at the age of 89.
Lee, born in 1933 in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, served as the country's first cultural minister in 1990-1991 under the Roh Tae-woo administration.
With his various literary works, he was respected as one of the most prominent "intellectuals of this era" in South Korea.
In 1956, Lee caused a stir in the literary critics circle when he criticized veteran writers for their authoritarianism in his iconic piece titled "Destruction of an Idol," published in the newspaper Hankook Ilbo.
Lee, a graduate of Seoul National University, worked as an editorial writer in several newspapers between 1960 and 1972.
He also taught Korean literature at Ewha Womans University in Seoul and became an honorary professor in 2011.
He had undergone cancer surgery twice since 2017 but later refused to receive anticancer treatment to instead focus on completing his writing projects.
In October 2021, Lee was awarded an order of cultural merit for his contribution to the development of the country's literature.
He is survived by his wife, Kang In-sook, a literature critic, and two sons.
(END)
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art
-
Ateez member Yunho throws first pitch at MLB match between Dodgers, Mets
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
N. Korea calls envisioned U.S. aid to Ukraine 'hallucinogen'
-
N. Korea calls on party propaganda officials to work harder
-
'Queen of Tears' weaves rich tapestry of Korean contemporary art
-
Experts see possibility of N.K. conducting nuclear test before U.S. presidential vote
-
Details of meeting between Yoon, opposition leader undecided: presidential office
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
Looming weekly closure of major hospitals feared to worsen medical service crisis
-
S. Korea eliminated in Olympic football qualifiers as poor defense, undisciplined play prove costly
-
Indonesia coach left with mixed feelings after eliminating native S. Korea in Olympic football qualifiers
-
(LEAD) 10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification
-
ADOR CEO calls conflict with Hybe 'worst experience of my life'
-
10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification