Korean Cultural Centre AU | Media Release | 2 June 2026

Korean Literature Takes Centre Stage at Leading Literary Festivals in Australia and New Zealand

SYDNEY, NSW – 2 June 2026
The Korean Cultural Centre Australia (Director Dr. Sunmin Yoon) has strengthened the international profile of Korean literature through partnerships with two of the region’s premier literary festivals, connecting Korean authors with thousands of readers, writers, publishers, and industry professionals across Australia and New Zealand.

In May, KCCAU partnered with the Auckland Writers Festival, New Zealand’s largest literary event, presenting acclaimed Korean author Bora Chung and translator Shanna Tan in a series of discussions and audience engagement programs. The collaboration marked KCCAU’s first partnership with the festival and laid the foundation for future literary exchange initiatives between Korea and New Zealand.

KCCAU also collaborated with the Sydney Writers’ Festival, one of Australia’s most influential literary events, featuring Bora Chung and Korean-American author Susan Choi across eight festival sessions. Several events sold out, underscoring growing local interest in Korean literature and contemporary Korean voices.

Audience participation remained high throughout both festivals, with readers engaging actively in live and online Q&A sessions. Bora Chung’s dedicated author talk generated particularly strong interest, reflecting the increasing visibility of Korean literature among international audiences.

Beyond public programming, the festivals provided valuable opportunities for Korean authors to engage directly with global publishing professionals, literary agents, translators, and fellow writers. KCCAU also observed strong interest from Australian publishing and literary organisations, signalling expanding opportunities for Korean literature in the region.

“Korean literature is increasingly resonating with readers around the world through its distinctive storytelling and diverse perspectives. Our partnerships with leading literary festivals in Australia and New Zealand provide valuable opportunities for Korean authors to engage directly with international audiences, while fostering meaningful cultural and literary exchange across borders.” said Dr. Sunmin Yoon, Director of KCCAU. 

KCCAU has long supported the promotion of Korean literature through literary programs, quarterly book clubs, and the ongoing expansion of its Korean-language and translated literature collections. Building on the success of these festival partnerships, the Centre will continue to foster connections between Korean and international literary communities and support greater cross-cultural publishing exchange between Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.