CUON

CUON Inc. (株式会社クオン) is a Japanese publishing house based in Kanda-Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, dedicated to introducing Korean literature and knowledge to Japanese-language readers. Founded in July 2007 by Kim Seung-bok (金承福), a former advertising agency professional, the company began as a broker of Korean book rights before launching its own translation-publishing program. Its flagship series, 'New Korean Literature' (新しい韓国の文学), debuted in 2011 with Han Kang's 'The Vegetarian' (菜食主義者), a title that later won the International Booker Prize in 2016 and brought significant attention to CUON's catalog. The publisher has since expanded into multiple series covering contemporary fiction, classics, poetry, essays, and humanities, and operates a Korean book specialty store called Chekccori in Jinbocho. CUON also runs the K-BOOK Promotion Association (K-BOOK振興会), which supports translation and publishing of Korean books in Japan. In 2025, its complete translation of Park Kyongni's 'Land' (土地) won the 79th Mainichi Publishing Culture Award in the planning category. The company remains privately held and is led by representatives Kim Seung-bok and Nagata Kinji.

CUON Inc. was founded in July 2007 by Kim Seung-bok, who had previously worked at a Japanese advertising agency. The company was established with the goal of introducing Korean books to Japan, initially operating from Tsukishima in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. In its early years, CUON engaged in brokerage and rights mediation for Korean books, connecting Japanese publishers with Korean titles. In 2011, CUON launched its first major book series, 'New Korean Literature' (新しい韓国の文学), with the publication of Han Kang's 'The Vegetarian' (菜食主義者), translated by Kim Huna. The series aimed to present contemporary Korean literature written after the 2000s to Japanese readers. The first title received attention in major Japanese newspapers and became a significant success, especially after Han Kang won the International Booker Prize in 2016. In 2014, CUON began the 'CUON Humanities and Social Sciences Series' (クオン人文・社会シリーズ). In July 2015, the company relocated its headquarters to Kanda-Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, and opened a Korean book specialty store called Chekccori at the same location. That year also saw the launch of the 'Japan-Korea Contemporary Dialogue Series' (日韓同時代人の対話シリーズ). In November 2016, CUON started publishing the complete translation of Park Kyongni's epic novel 'Land' (土地), a project that would eventually span 20 volumes and be completed in 2024. The translation was supported in part by Kim Jung-chul, a Korean resident in Japan and chairman of the Cheonggu Gakuen educational foundation, who funded half of the production costs. In 2017, CUON organized the first 'Translation Contest for Korean Books We Want to Read in Japanese' (日本語で読みたい韓国の本 翻訳コンクール), with 212 applicants for the inaugural edition. In 2018, the publisher launched the 'Korean Literature Short Shorts: Kim Huna Selection' series, featuring short stories in bilingual Korean-Japanese format. In 2019, the 'CUON Korean Literature Classics' series began, and in 2020, the 'K-BOOK PASS' series was introduced. Also in 2020, CUON began distributing a web magazine called 'CUON no Hon no Tane' on note. In 2022, the 'Selection Korean Poetry' series was launched. In November 2025, the complete translation of 'Land' won the 79th Mainichi Publishing Culture Award in the planning category, and CUON received the 22nd Shuppan Shiosai-kai Newspaper Society Arts and Culture Award. In June 2026, the translation team for 'Land' was awarded the 2nd Lee Hee-gun Award in Seoul. Throughout its history, CUON has also operated the K-BOOK Promotion Association (K-BOOK振興会), established in 2011 and incorporated as a general incorporated association in April 2020, which publishes an annual list of 50 recommended Korean books for Japanese publishers and organizes translation workshops and contests.

• Founded by Kim Seung-bok in Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

• Launched 'New Korean Literature' series with Han Kang's 'The Vegetarian'

• Established K-BOOK Promotion Association

• Launched 'CUON Humanities and Social Sciences Series'

• Relocated headquarters to Kanda-Jinbocho and opened Chekccori bookstore

• Launched 'Japan-Korea Contemporary Dialogue Series'

• Began publishing complete translation of Park Kyongni's 'Land'

• Held first 'Translation Contest for Korean Books We Want to Read in Japanese'

• Launched 'Korean Literature Short Shorts: Kim Huna Selection' series

• Launched 'CUON Korean Literature Classics' series

• Launched 'K-BOOK PASS' series and web magazine 'CUON no Hon no Tane'

• K-BOOK Promotion Association incorporated as general incorporated association

• Launched 'Selection Korean Poetry' series

• Completed publication of 20-volume 'Land' translation

• 'Land' wins 79th Mainichi Publishing Culture Award, Planning Category

• CUON receives 22nd Shuppan Shiosai-kai Newspaper Society Arts and Culture Award

• Translation team for 'Land' wins 2nd Lee Hee-gun Award

A specialist publisher and cultural bridge introducing Korean literature and knowledge to Japanese readers, operating a niche bookstore and translation support organization.

• 2011

  The Vegetarian (菜食主義者)

• 2016

  Land (土地) complete edition, 20 volumes

• 2016

  Human Acts (少年が来る)

• 2013

  The Impossible Fairy Tale (どきどき僕の人生)

• Please Look After Mom (お母さん、お元気ですか)

• 2019

  The Square (広場)

• The Story of Hong Gildong (洪吉童伝)

• I Have the Right to Destroy Myself (私は私を破壊する権利がある)

• The Investigation (調査)

• The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly (飛びたいと思った雌鳥)

1. 1CUON official websitecuon.jp
2. 2会社概要 - CUONcuon.jp
3. 3쿠온(CUON)소개 - CUONcuon.jp
4. 4クオン (出版社) - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
5. 5CUON Inc. - Wikidatawikidata.org