In recent news, a Korean author won the Nobel Prize in Literature, sparking significant interest. The Nobel Prize has generally been elusive for Korean figures, with only the late President Kim Dae Jung having previously won in a different category. This milestone for Korean literature, the first of its kind and the first Nobel win for an Asian author in 12 years, prompts us to take a closer look at the Nobel Prize and its background.
To Those Who Have Made Significant Contributions to Humanity
The Nobel Prize was established in accordance with the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, written in 1895. Various institutions in Sweden and Norway award the prize annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to humanity. The institutions responsible for the Nobel Prize include the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Swedish Academy, the Karolinska Institute, and the Norwegian Nobel Committee, each overseeing different categories of the prize. Today, the Nobel Prize is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the world.
According to Alfred Nobel’s Will
Uneasy about the military use of the dynamite he had invented, Alfred Nobel decided to donate approximately 94% of his fortune to establish the Nobel Prize. It is often suggested that the motivation for the creation of the Nobel Prize stemmed from an incident when a French newspaper mistakenly published an obituary for Alfred, referring to him as the merchant of death after the death of his brother, Ludvig Nobel. However, this story has not been definitively verified. In the early years of the Nobel Prize, it was not as prestigious as it is today, but over time, it has become one of the most respected honors in the world.
Nobel Prize Categories
The Nobel Prize was first awarded in 1901, with five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. Today, the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences has been added to the list. Unlike the other awards, the Economics Prize was established in 1968 by the Swedish National Bank, with its official title being The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. However, since the announcement and administration of this prize now align with the other Nobel Prizes, it is effectively considered one of them.
Awarded Only to the Living
The Nobel Prize is awarded to individuals regardless of their nationality. Alfred Nobel explicitly stated in his will that the nationality of the laureates should not be considered when selecting recipients. A single prize may be awarded to one to three individuals, and while most Nobel Prizes are given to individuals, the Peace Prize can also be awarded to organizations. An important rule is that the Nobel Prize can only be awarded to living individuals, with few exceptions. The award is considered forfeited if a laureate declines the prize or passes away before receiving it. Additionally, the recipient must give their Nobel lecture within six months of accepting the prize.
The Laureate’s Acceptance Lecture
The acceptance lecture is a mandatory condition for receiving the Nobel Prize. The Nobel Prize ceremony occurs annually on December 10, and laureates must deliver their acceptance lecture by the following June—failure to do so results in the forfeiture of the prize money. There are no strict rules about the format of the lecture. While a traditional lecture is common, laureates can deliver their acceptance speech in any form. This could include a formal speech, a recorded video, a recorded audio message, a performance, or even a song. The key is that the laureate presents their ideas publicly within the allotted time frame.
Notable Rejections
Some laureates have declined the Nobel Prize. French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre famously refused the Nobel Prize in Literature, while Vietnamese politician Le Duc Tho declined the Peace Prize, citing the lack of peace in Vietnam. In 1958, Soviet author Boris Pasternak rejected the Literature Prize under government pressure, though post-World War II, individuals under Nazi control later received their awards and prize money.
Nationality Records of Laureates
While the recent Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to Han Kang has brought attention to the fact that she is the first South Korean and the first laureate from an Asian country in 12 years, official Nobel records do not include the nationality or ethnicity of the laureates. Instead, only the recipient’s birthplace and date of death are recorded. This is due to the complex nature of nationality issues globally. Many Nobel laureates change their nationality during their lifetime, making it difficult to maintain an official record of Nobel Prizes by country. As a result, no official tally of Nobel Prize winners by nationality is kept.
Award Ceremony and Announcement
The Nobel Prize ceremony occurs annually on December 10, Alfred Nobel’s death anniversary. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway, while the other prizes are presented in Stockholm, Sweden. The dress code for the ceremony is strict, with men expected to wear tuxedos and women evening gowns, although national traditional attire is also allowed. Winners receive their medals and diplomas from the King of Sweden and Norway. After the ceremony, a celebratory banquet is held, which is broadcast live on Swedish television.
Nobel Prize Medal
The Nobel Prize medal, a symbol of the prestigious award, was manufactured from 1902 to 2010 by the Swedish Mint in Eskilstuna, Sweden. However, this company ceased operations in 2011. In May 2012, a new contract was signed with a company in Stockholm, Sweden, which has since been responsible for producing all of the Nobel Prize medals, except for the Nobel Peace Prize medal. The medals for Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Literature feature the recipient’s name engraved on the reverse side. In contrast, the medals for Peace and Economic Sciences have the recipient’s name inscribed around the edge.
How Much Is the Prize Money?
The Nobel Prize is known for its substantial monetary award. Currently funded by the Nobel Foundation, the prize amounts to 11 million Swedish Krona (approximately 1 million USD). When awarded to a Korean citizen, the prize is exempt from tax, thanks to the Income Tax Act’s provision exempting awards from foreign governments, international organizations, and other entities.
Most Commented