The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea) has postponed plans to establish an independent graduate school focused on Korean literary translation in Seoul, citing conflicts with the government's regional development initiatives. Instead, the institute is considering an interim master's program in partnership with a national university outside Seoul while still aiming for a standalone facility in the future.
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The state-run institute, which operates under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has long maintained a translation academy that trains translators to promote Korean literature internationally. However, the current program does not confer official degrees. As a solution, LTI Korea initially intended to launch a graduate school in Seoul by September 2027. Recent discussions among LTI Korea and government officials, however, led to a shift in plans, with talks now underway for a master's degree program to be offered in collaboration with a regional university starting next September.
An LTI Korea official stated, "As a transitional measure, we have revised our plans and are now seeking to start operating this master’s program in collaboration with a regional national university in September next year. We have not abandoned our plans for an independent school, despite the current circumstances."
A specific partner university has not yet been identified. Originally, LTI Korea planned to remodel its headquarters in southern Seoul to accommodate the new school. However, that plan was altered following two months of discussions regarding the government's priorities for balanced regional development, which aim to redistribute the population and resources away from the capital.
An education ministry official noted that the university establishment committee had indicated a preference for collaborating with institutions in underrepresented regions instead of establishing a school in Seoul due to the government's focus on regional equity.
LTI Korea has been forming a committee since April to further the translation school project in line with the revised Literature Promotion Act that took effect last year. The envisioned institution aims to expand the existing Translation Academy into an accredited master's program dedicated specifically to literary translation. Originally, it planned to admit 60 students annually, including 45 from abroad.
With an increasing international interest in Korean literature, particularly influenced by Han Kang's Nobel Prize win in 2024, the project's objective is to cultivate professional translators. Many industry experts believe Seoul is the optimal location for such a graduate school, citing concerns about the challenges of attracting students and faculty if the school is based in a regional area.
Kwak Hyo-hwan, a former president of LTI Korea, expressed disappointment over the changes, stating, "It is regrettable. If the government’s regional relocation policy takes priority over everything else, there is little more to say except that it is regrettable."