Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Recommends Local Governments and Education Offices to Purchase Books from Regional Bookstores

Request to Introduce 'Local Bookstore Certification System' to Curb 'Ghost Bookstores'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jonggil Lee] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 16th that it has recommended all local governments and education offices nationwide to prioritize using local bookstores when purchasing books for public and school libraries under their jurisdiction. Additionally, it requested consideration for the introduction of a ‘Local Bookstore Certification System’ to curb the emergence of so-called ‘ghost bookstores’ in the book supply market.

This measure aims to support local bookstores struggling due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Local bookstores gained access to participate in the public book supply market following the 2014 amendment of the Publishing Culture Industry Promotion Act. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism asked local governments and education offices to prioritize local bookstores when purchasing books for public and school libraries. However, the effectiveness was undermined by the appearance of ‘ghost bookstores,’ where businesses unrelated to books added bookstore operations to their business types to enter the book supply market.

Eleven local governments have introduced a ‘Local Bookstore Certification System’ in the form of ordinances, guidelines, or announcements to verify whether a bookstore operates an actual physical store. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has prepared minimum standards for local bookstores to facilitate the widespread application of this system and requested local governments to adopt the certification system according to their respective circumstances.

A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official stated, “The more books purchased from local bookstores that serve as book exhibition spaces and cultural venues for local residents, the more it will help improve the profits of local bookstores whose management has deteriorated due to the impact of COVID-19.” The official added, “This will lead to strengthening service capabilities for local residents and is expected to contribute to creating a symbiotic structure between local bookstores and libraries.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.