Paek Sŏk was born as Paek Kihaeng (백기행/白夔行) in 1912 in Chŏngju in North P’yŏngan province. He made his literary debut after graduating from Osan High School in 1930, when his story “That Mother and Son” (그모와 아들) was published by the Choson Ilbo. In 1934, he began to work for the Choson Ilbo and continued published the poetry collection “Deer” (사슴).
Paek lived in Shinkyong (신경), Manchuria from 1942 to 1945. He worked as an employee of the Economic Department of Manchukuo before leaving within the first six months. Starting in June of 1942, he began to publish poems related to his time in Manchuria such as “Watermelon Seed, Pumpkin Seed” (수박씨, 호박씨) and “From the North (북방에). He also produced a translation of Thomas Hardy’s novel “Tess.” Starting in 1942, he worked at the customs office in Andong, Manchuria. After his time in Manchuria, he returned to his hometown.
Paek is best known for his infusion of the local P’yongan dialect into his poetry. His representations of folk traditions into his lyrical poetry were lauded as a method of preserving Korean cultural heritage and the ideals of living harmoniously with nature. IN 2007 he was included in the Korean Poets’ Association’s list of the ten most important modern Korean poets.
Paek passed away in 1996.
For more information see: