Pak Kyongni lived in this house in Wonju for 16 years after leaving Seoul in 1980. Here she wrote Parts Four and Five of Land and tended a vegetable garden in her spare time. It was in this house that Pak completed Land at 2 am on 15 August 1994. At one point, the house was in danger of being torn down as part of the Korea Land and House Corporation’s plan for housing land development. However, thanks to an opposition campaign launched by Pak’s devoted readers, citizens of Wonju, and fellow writers, the house was preserved. The first floor has been left just as it was when the author lived and worked there, while the second floor has been turned into a reception room for writers and artists. The pond that Pak Kyongni had built for her grandchildren and her vegetable garden remain in the courtyard. Also found in the garden is a life-size statue of Pak Kyongni (sculpted by Shim Jeong-soo), seemingly gazing up at Mt. Chiak.

Pak Kyongni’s Old House

 The Pak Kyongni Literary House  

Pak Kyongni believed that it would be “wrong to commemorate the life and works of a living author.” Therefore, as per her wish, the site was converted into a neighborhood park at the time of its construction in 1999. After Pak’s death, the city of Wonju purchased the surrounding buildings in 2010 and created a space to display the author’s photographs, belongings, and the novel Land. Also added were a library and a hall used for literary events.

 Book Café  

On the first floor, there is ample space for reading or relaxing. The second floor is used for special art & culture exhibitions as well as the permanent exhibition. Rare historical materials (donated by Choi Hee-woong) and textbooks from the Japanese colonial era on display illustrate the contextual background of Land.

 Key Events  

Various events are held throughout the year including Toji Day (15August), Toji School for Children, Toji School for Youths, Toji School, Pak Kyongni Poetry Reading Competition, Toji School of Korean History, Women’s Culture Class, Illustrated Poetry Exhibition, Korean Poetry Writing Contest, Poetry Reading Class, Pak Kyongni Literature Concert, and Pak Kyongni Literature Park UCC Contest.

Address: Pak Kyongni Literature Park, Toji-gil 1 (Dangu-dong 1620-5), Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Korea, Republic of Website: www.tojipark.com
Opening House: 10:00~17:00 (Closed on the 4thMondayofeachmonth.)