kim jong-gil's poetics are exemplified by a concentrated focus on maintaining clarity and lucidity, and by his skillful exploration of the power of the poetic image. the idea of imagery possessed for the poet a near transcendental value, which he believed could enable both poet and reader alike to attain a greater understanding of truth. his poetic methodology can be thus understood only in the context of his attitude towards life which functioned through the medium of clear, concrete images.