South Korean poet Ko Un has won the America Award, which is presented by the U.S. Contemporary Arts Educational Project. Ko is the first Asian to receive this award.

Since 1994, the annual award has recognized renowned literary artists who devoted their lives to world literature, such as British Nobel laureate Harold Pinter.

Ko Un said that he believes the award is a recognition of his literary achievement, including his epic “Maninbo,”(Geneology of US All) adding he will continue to create more works.