Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | On Friday, April 17, 2026, the Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea organized a tribute to Mario Vargas Llosa — Nobel Prize in Literature laureate in 2010 — on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birth. The event took place at the Instituto Cervantes Seoul, located in the heart of the Myeongdong district, drawing a full auditorium of diplomats, academics, local media professionals, and students from across Latin America and Korea.

The evening opened with a screening of a fragment of the documentary A Personal Journey Through 'I Dedicate My Silence' — the Last Novel by Mario Vargas Llosa, offering attendees an intimate and moving window into the final chapter of one of the great literary careers of the twentieth century.

"Some critics see in his work a unique writing style and humor, and the reflection of historical events that resemble episodes experienced in Korean history."

The programme featured an academic presentation and readings by the Ambassadors of Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala, who offered personal reflections on three of Vargas Llosa's novels: The Feast of the Goat, Pantaleón and the Special Services, and Harsh Times. Each ambassador brought a distinct diplomatic and literary perspective to the works, enriching the evening with voices from across the region.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Byeong Sun Song, Ph.D. in Latin American Literature from the Pontifical Javeriana University of Colombia and professor at the University of Ulsan. Dr. Song, who has translated five of Vargas Llosa's works into Korean and dedicated numerous articles and academic conferences to his writing, spoke to a packed hall about the reception of the Peruvian author's work in Korea.

Dr. Song highlighted that Korean readers and critics have found in Vargas Llosa a distinctive literary sensibility — a blend of irony, historical consciousness, and narrative ambition — that resonates with episodes from Korea's own modern history. His presentation was met with sustained engagement, prompting a lively exchange with the audience during the open discussion that followed.

The audience for the event comprised representatives of the Latin American diplomatic corps, academics, local media, and Latin American and Korean students. The evening concluded with Peruvian refreshments and a ceremonial toast featuring pisco, Peru's national beverage — a warm and fitting close to a night devoted to celebrating one of literature's most enduring voices.