His birthname was Jo Dong-tak. He graduated from Hyehwa College in 1941 with a degree in Liberal Arts. He taught at Odaesan Buddhist College and in 1946, after Korean Liberation, founded the Association of Young Writers (Cheongnyeon munhakga hyeophoe).
Jo Dong-tak's birth name was Jo Dong-tak. He earned a degree in Liberal Arts from Hyehwa College in 1941 and taught at Odaesan Buddhist College. After Korean Liberation in 1946, he established the Association of Young Writers (Cheongnyeon munhakga hyeophoe).