Chung Chae-Bong, fairy tale writer, dies of cancer

Fairy tale writer Chung Chae-Bong, director of Samtoh Co., a publishing firm, died of liver cancer at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, Tuesday morning. He was 55.

Born in Seungju, South Cholla Province in 1946, Chung made his literary debut when he won the Dong-A Ilbo¡¯s new year`s literary contest in 1973 with his work, "Flower Bouquet.¡¯¡¯ A graduate of the department of Korean language and literature of Dongkuk University, Chung entered Samtoh Co. in 1978. Working as chief of planning, make-up editor, chief manager and editor, he is credited with making a great contribution to the development of the publishing firm. Since 1998, Chung also taught at his alma mater as a professor in the department of Korean language and literature.

His best-known works include the fairy tale books "Oseam,¡¯¡¯ and "Bird Coming Out of Water.¡¯¡¯ He received the Literature Award for the Republic of Korea in 1983, the 14th Sassak Literature Award in 1986, and the Dongkuk Literature Award in 1991.