Cho Jeonggwon (February 22, 1949 – November 8, 2017) was a South Korean poet and critic.
1. Life
Cho Jeonggwon was born February 22, 1949, in Seoul, Korea. He received his BA in English education from Chung-Ang University. Cho made his official literary debut in 1970 when "Heukpan" (흑판 Blackboard) and other poems were recommended for publication in Hyeondae Sihak by the poet Park Mok-wol. Later, as editor-in-chief of Gonggan magazine, Cho contributed critical articles on art and music. From 1994, he worked as a manager at the Korean Culture and Arts Foundation until his death.
2. Writing
The lyric verse of Cho Jeonggwon is robust and highly confrontational. In his works, the poet throws himself into violent conflict with his subjects, and writes with a clear suppleness deriving from his confrontational style. His poetry engenders a clear feeling of pure and simple poetic sentiments. Indeed, these clear and simple emotions form the very essence of his poetry inform the driving force of his poetry's incessant transformation. His poetic journey, beginning with his early poem "Him" (힘 Strength) up to "Sanjeongmyoji" (산정묘지 A Tomb at the Summit) reveals the poet's artistic vitality and pliable sensibility.
The linked poems of his collection Sanjeongmyoji feature images of a mountain shimmering in the cold of the winter and the dynamic ascent of the poet's sturdy spirit. This truth-seeking climb dealt with in this work metaphorically attempts to reach the summit through perseverance free from the idle rest of the mundane world. The climb is also intended to rebuke the corrupt world in an effort to attain a higher, transcendental world.
His awards included the Korean Poets' Association Prize in 1988, Kim Su-Young Literary Award in 1991, and the Sowol Poetry Award in 1991.
