Korean Poetry and Books

How to understand Korean Poetry

A Brief History of Korean Literature

The oldest existing metal-plate printed book


Code of Practice

In Korea's oldest books
Few misprints are ever found:
No errors were permitted.
Punishment was most severe,
According to the Code -
Thirty strokes of the cane
For a single mistake -
For everyone concerned,
From senior supervisor to the lowest apprentice.
Thirty strokes. Imprinted pain.
For five mistakes, dismissal.