President Lee Myung-bak awarded a posthumous medal Monday to Park Wan-suh, a famous South Korean novelist, in recognition of her contribution to the country's literature, Lee's office Cheong Wa Dae said.

   Park died of gallbladder cancer Saturday at the age of 80. She is known for a number of novels and essays featuring post-Korean War realities, life of women here and the dark side behind the rapid industrialization of South Korea.

   She "took an unparalleled standing in the annals of our literature by warmly touching the life conditions of our modern history marked by war, division, poverty and rapid social change,"

Lee said in his condolence message conveyed by his chief of staff Yim Tae-hee.

   Park's works gave big consolation to those in need and offered a literary cure and conciliation to social problems, the president added.

   Lee also bestowed upon Park the Geumgwan Medal (Gold Crown), the highest honor for the Order of Cultural Merit, which is given to those who have rendered outstanding meritorious services in the cultural sector, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

(Yonhap News)