Poet Park Chul Un is also an essayist and lawyer. He holds an Honorary Doctorate of Law (1991) from Dickinson University in Pennsylvania, USA, and is a graduate of Seoul National University School of Law. He has served as Chairman of the Korean Peninsula Welfare and Unification Foundation, Minister of Political Affairs, Minister of Sports and Youth, a three-term member of the National Assembly, Presidential Policy Advisor, and Chief Prosecutor
He has received numerous honors, including the Yun Dong-ju Literature Prize, and has published ten poetry collections, including Embracing the Wind
A swelling heart
turns into longing,
A waning heart
fades into solitude.
Even in the pain of a dimming light,
even in the thrill of a rising glow,
with a tender expression
resembling your gentle smile.
The moon that follows every night.
Though on cloudy days or in busy hours
there were nights I missed you,
you always rise
softly, even in my dreams.
In the midst of a dull and weary life,
even in darkness,
you shine quietly
with vitality and hope.
You are already a blessing.
You are longing itself, reborn each day.
차오르는 마음 담아
그리움이 되었다가
사그라지는 마음 담아
외로움이 되었다가
스러져 가는 빛의 아픔에도
차오르는 빛의 설렘에도
그대 미소 닮은 그윽한 표정으로
매일 밤 따라오는 달
흐린 날씨나 바쁜 일정으로
널 놓친 밤도 있지만
언제나 꿈속까지
온화하게 떠오르는 너
윤기 잃은 삶 한 가운데
어둠 속에서도
생기와 희망으로
고요히 빛나니
이미 축복이다
날마다 그리움이다
