In celebration of World Book Day (officially known as World Book and Copyright Day, April 23), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Yu In Chon, hereafter MCST) has collaborated with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (Acting Director Lee Jae Sun, KPIPA) to host a series of cultural events to promote reading at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History on April 20 (Sunday). This year also marks the official launch of the nationwide “Reading Korea (translated)” campaign, which is aimed at encouraging the nation to enjoy a culture of reading and gifting books. Minister Yu In Chon will also take part to show his support for the promotion of a reading culture.

A Series of Events to Share the Value and Celebrate the Joy of Reading: Lectures, Talks, Book Gifts, Story to Stage

To begin the series of events, Professor Na Min Ae of Seoul National University, a long-time advocate for the value of books, reading, and writing, took the stage with her lecture titled “A Book is a Person, and a Person is a Book.” The lecture was followed by a conversation between Minister Yu and Professor Na, together with KBS anchor Chung Yong Shil, to explore the evolving value of books in today’s ever-changing media landscape and share personal insights into the joy of reading and how to embrace the habit in everyday life.

In celebration of World Book Day, the public was invited from April 4 to 9 to submit stories online about special people to whom they wish to give a book as a gift, with 100 individuals to be selected from these submissions to receive a book and a rose as a present. Minister Yu and the experts invited to the campaign—known as book mentors—including Professor Kwon Soo Yong of Yonsei University, former MBC producer Kim Min Sik, comedian Lee Seung Yoon, webtoon author Lee Jong Beom, and Professor Na Min Ae of the lecture. Story to Stage (Book Talk) also took place with  webtoon author Lee Jong Beom and Professor Kim Kyung Il of Ajou University, who were engaged in a lively discussion on the theme “The Joy of Books,” with the intent to spark national interest and excitement about reading.

Minister Yu will continue his personal tradition of presenting books to fellow cabinet members during the State Council meeting on April 22 (Tuesday) to promote the culture of presenting books as gifts and enjoying reading.

Launch of the Reading Korea Campaign: Recruiting 1,500 Citizens to Join Book Mentors in Interactive Reading Activities while Offering Book Gifts for Onsite Applicants

As part of the Reading Korea Campaign, MCST is recruiting 1,500 citizens to participate in interactive reading activities. Around ten book mentors, who include experts from fields like startups, webtoons, sports, life in middle age, science, and empathy and communication, will engage with the 1,500 participants through online reading challenges, including writing short reviews and re-writing quotes from books. The book  mentors will help the participants to enjoy reading and complete the challenges by hosting online and offline book talk stages and publishing monthly newsletters. In September, designated as Reading Month, a showcase event will take place to share the achievements of the participants.

Anyone interested in the campaign can scan the QR code in the Book Club information leaflet, provided at the campaign booth located in the outdoor plaza of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History between April 20 and 23. Also, online applications can be submitted via the Reading Korea (“책 읽는 대한민국”) blog (blog.naver.com/reading-korea) starting at 2:00 PM on April 20. The first 323 onsite applicants at the museum will receive books recommended by  experts from the publishing and library sector and book mentors. Further information about the campaign is available on the national reading portal site “Readin” (www.readin.or.kr).

Various events are planned to celebrate the opening of the Reading Korea Campaign. Installations will be set up on the first floor and in the outdoor plaza of the museum like a Reading Personality Analysis Zone and Book Club Recommendation Zone, where individuals are recommended their book clubs based on their personal reading preferences. Visitors can also explore books recommended by the book mentors in the Book Mentor Library Zone and by regional or online libraries in the One-Page Recommendation Zone, while experiencing audio books in the One-Page Audio Book Zone. The One-Page Picture Book Zone features award-winning Korean picture books from 2023 and 2024 for families and children to enjoy and offers hands-on activities such as making bubble art with cups inspired by the picture books.

Customized Recommendations by Book Stores, Publishers, and Libraries: Giveaway Paper Bags with Messages on Copyright Protection

The publishing sector, including bookstores (both online and offline) and e-book platforms, also plan to host various events to commemorate World Book Day. Kyobo Book Centre will run an integrated online-offline reading campaign, publish a limited-edition “Keyword of the Year” book to mark World Book Day, and recommend collections of themed books (April 2-30). Yes24 will hold a book fair, offering book pouches for customers with KRW 30,000 or more in book purchases (April 23-30). Aladdin will share a list of reading and music pairings, while offering NFC acrylic keyrings that link to a curated playlist for reading on purchases of KRW 20,000 or more of selected books (April 21). The Korea Federation of Bookstore Association will collaborate with the Korea Copyright Commission to distribute paper gift bags with messages on copyright protection for any book purchases at over 530 bookstores nationwide (April 16-30).

MCST Members Come Together under the theme “MCST that Reads, Connects, and Smiles” with a Commemorative Photo to Celebrate World Book Day

On April 17, Minister Yu In Chon and all the members of MCST came together for a commemorative photo at the Government Complex Sejong under the theme “MCST that Reads, Connects, and Smiles,” to celebrate World Book Day as a reminder to the meaning and value of books.

“Books are our lifelong companions that enhance our creativity, empathy, and communication skills,” said Minister Yu. “They are also the sources of K-content loved around the world. I hope the launch of this year’s Reading Korea campaign can help the public to rediscover the joy of reading, while offering an opportunity to present their loved ones with meaningful books through local bookstores, that can help people to share their hearts and communicate with the world through books. MCST will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to foster customized policies that can create a reading-friendly environment and promote the cultural value of reading for all.”