The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) in collaboration with the publishing industry and public libraries nationwide, including Seoul Metropolitan Library, celebrated World Book Day[1] (officially World Book and Copyright Day) on April 23. The event was held both online and offline at various locations, including the book spaces at Gwanghwamun Square’s Haechi Lounge and Sejong Lounge.

Book Gifting at State Council and Gwanghwamun Haechi Lounge; World Book Day Event Held at Gwanghwamun Sejong Lounge

Minister YU In Chon kicked off the celebrations by presenting books to the Prime Minister and members of the State Council during their meeting on April 23. In Gwanghwamun’s Haechi Lounge, now revamped as an outdoor library, an event was held where books and roses were gifted to the public. The books, ranging from essays on daily life to academic works, were carefully selected based on recommendations from the publishing and library sectors and purchased from local bookstores. Books in large print and Braille were also included for those with reading difficulties.

The Sejong Lounge (basement level 1 of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts) hosted the main World Book Day event, attended by government officials, public institutions, and key figures from the publishing, library, and literary sectors. The event featured a book-gifting ceremony, a reading party, and a “Book Talk” session, highlighting the importance of books and reading.

Minister YU In Chon and actor HWANG Jung Min marked the occasion by reading Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” chosen in consideration of the origins of World Book Day. Minister YU, a frequent lead actor in “Hamlet,” and HWANG Jung Min, despite his busy schedule, have shown a special affection for Shakespeare, also starring in “Richard III.” Authors JANG Kang Myeong[2] and KIM Min Young[3] continued the theme of “More Books, Broader Worlds” in an intensive “Book Talk” on reading. More details about this event can be found on the integrated reading portal ReadIn (www.readin.or.kr).

Online Campaigns for Book Recommendations, Book Gifting, and Reading Verification Underway

You can join in the World Book Day celebrations online as well. MCST has launched a book recommendation challenge titled Recommend a Book of Your Life on its official Instagram. Participants introduce a book and then nominate three friends to continue the challenge. Those who participate also have a chance to win cultural gift vouchers through a draw. In addition, in collaboration with Kyobo Bookstore and Yes24, an online book gifting campaign called, A Book Is Another World, Gift a Book (translated in English), was conducted. The Korean Library Association is running a reading verification photo challenge with the theme “Read a Book, Go to the Library,” while the Korea Publishing Culture Industry Promotion Agency is soliciting submissions for A Quote from My Life’s Book and the 2024 Reading Month Slogan.

Publishing and Bookstore Sectors, National Libraries Host Various Events Including Pop-Up Stores and Flower Coupon Giveaways

The publishing sector, including bookstores (both online and offline) and eBook platforms, celebrated World Book Day with a series of events. Publisher Changbi opened a pop-up store in Mangwon-dong, Seoul, from April 19 to 28, offering poetry-related activities and Book Talks. Online Kyobo Bookstore ran a promotion from April 15 to 30, gifting books randomly to 100 individuals who added three books to their cart and verified their selection. Some Kyobo Bookstore branches hosted an author event titled “Spring of Reading Comes” from April 15 to May 14 and gave away flower coupons with book purchases over KRW 10,000 on April 23. Online bookstore Yes24 hosted a two-hour and four-minute live-streamed reading birthday party on April 23. Aladdin online bookstore conducted the “Four Life-Changing Books” event, offering envelopes and cards with books recommended by about 30 authors to those who purchased them. The eBook platform Welaaa recommended books based on a survey of members’ life-changing books from April 22 to 28.

The reading culture promotion events that began during Library Day and Library Week (April 12–18) extend through the World Book Day. A total of 10 metropolitan governments and 17 public libraries across the nation are hosting a variety of reading culture events, including author lectures, unique reading experiences, cultural performances, and book exhibitions. In addition, the Korea Copyright Commission is coordinating with local bookstores to organize Book Talks and other commemorative events for World Book Day.

MCST Staff Celebrate World Book Day Holding Their Favorite Books

On April 17, Minister YU In Chon, along with all staff members of MCST, gathered at the Government Complex Sejong to commemorate World Book Day. Under the theme “More Books, Closer MCST,” they celebrated by taking photos with their favorite books in hand.

Minister YU In Chon stated, “The Fourth Basic Plan for Reading Culture Promotion (2024–2028), announced by MCST on April 18, is the result of intense deliberation on future reading policies. MCST regards World Book Day as the starting point for transformative policies in promoting reading culture, aiming to foster a comprehensive reading culture through integrating reading, humanities, literature, and library policies, strengthening inter-ministerial cooperation, and securing necessary funding.” He added, “I hope that many citizens will purchase good books from local bookstores, share them, and engage in various book-related cultural events such as reading sessions and Book Talks.”