On the 20th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency announced on the 18th that they will hold a reading culture event at the National Museum of Korean History in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to mark 'World Book Day'.
The event will begin with a lecture by Professor Nam Minae of Seoul National University on the theme 'A book is a person. And a person is a book.' Following that, Minister Yoo In-chon and Professor Nam will discuss 'The value of books in a rapidly changing media environment' and share 'my own ways' of enjoying books.
There will also be an event gifting books and roses. Minister Yoo and Professor Nam will select 100 people from those who pre-registered online to receive books and roses. Professor Kwon Soo-young of Yonsei University, former Culture Broadcasting (MBC) producer Kim Min-sik, and comedian Lee Seung-yoon will also participate.
Various events will also be held to signal the start of the 'Reading Korea' campaign. A 'Book Club Preference Analysis Zone' and a 'Book Club Guidance Zone' will be set up to recommend tailored 'book clubs' through personal preference analysis. In the 'One Page Picture Book Exhibition,' children and family visitors can enjoy the award-winning books of the 2023 and 2024 Korea Picture Book Awards.
Nationwide online and offline bookstores will also celebrate 'World Book Day.' Kyobo Bookstore will publish a limited edition book 'This Year's Keyword Book,' and YES24 will hold a book planning exhibition. Aladin will offer gifts with the purchase of commemorative books.
The Korea Federation of Bookstore Associations, along with the Korea Copyright Commission and over 530 bookstores nationwide, will provide paper bags containing copyright protection messages for book purchases. Local governments and public libraries across the country will also host various reading culture events, including meetings with authors, unique reading cultural experiences, and cultural performances.
Minister Yoo In-chon noted, 'Through this year's 'Reading Korea' campaign, I hope citizens feel the joy of reading and that the culture of gifting books through local bookstores spreads widely.' He added, 'The Ministry will continue to strengthen tailored reading policies in collaboration with relevant departments to ensure that everyone can enjoy books in their daily lives and further enrich the lives of our citizens and flourish our culture.'