Hwang Sang Soon, poetry and biography
Moderator 
Poet Mr. Hwang Sang Soon
Poet Mr. Hwang Sang Soon was born in 1954 in Bongpyeong, Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, and began his public service career after being appointed as an official of the National Tax Service. Over the years, he served with distinction in various key positions, including Head of the Jeju Tax Office, Director of the Operations Support Division at the Jungbu Regional Tax Office, and Head of the Suwon Tax Office. In 2012, he retired honorably at the rank of Deputy Director General and was awarded the Order of Service Merit (Red Stripes). Following his retirement from public service, he has been active as the CEO of Haeoreum Tax Corporation and currently serves as the head of Minwoo Tax Corporation. He has also taken on roles in the corporate sector, including auditor of GC NS and outside director of Korea Alcohol Industrial Co., Ltd.
In the literary field, Hwang made his debut in 1999 through the monthly journal Simunhak with his poem “Odaesan,” marking the beginning of his serious literary career. In the same year, he published his first poetry collection Love of Eoreumchi, followed by The Journey of an Apple Worm, Jokes, An Old Promise, and Pigeon Economics, steadily establishing his own poetic world. In particular, he received the Simunhak Award in 2022 for Pigeon Economics, gaining recognition for both his artistic achievement and literary merit. His poem “Give Me the Moon, Give Me the Moon” was included in a middle school textbook, further affirming its popularity and educational value.
In addition, he won the Gold Prize in the poetry category at the Public Officials Literary Contest in 2000 and has received multiple grants from the Korea Culture and Arts Promotion Foundation, earning consistent recognition in literary circles. He also contributed to nurturing emerging writers by serving for ten years as a judge in the poetry category of the Hyoseok National Writing Contest.
Hwang has also been actively engaged in literary organizations. In 2014, he co-founded the poetry group “Siter,” through which ten collective volumes have been published. He has served as President of the Simunhak Writers’ Association and currently holds the position of President of the Literary Academy Poets’ Association, contributing to the development of the literary community. As such, Hwang Sang Soon is regarded as a figure who has harmoniously balanced his roles as a public servant, professional executive, and poet, establishing a distinctive presence in contemporary Korean poetry.
Give Me the Moon, Give Me the Moon
After the passing shower
the moon enters an empty jar, now filled with water, on the earthenware jar platform
a jar brimming and shimmering with a single moon
from somewhere hidden, frogs emerge in a swarm
“Give us the moon, give us the moon”
they cry out all night long
(Included in a 7th-grade Korean language textbook published by Didimdol.)
달 내놓아라 달 내놓아라
소나기 그친 뒤
장독대 빈 독 속에 달이 들었다
찰랑찰랑 달 하나 가득한 독
어디 숨어있다 떼 지어 나온 개구리들
달 내놓아라 달 내놓아라
밤새 아우성이다
(‘디딤돌’ 출판사 刊 中1 교과서에 게재 )
