Jeon Nam-do Councilor Kang Mun-seong Explores Measures to Revitalize Local Bookstores Facing Closure Crisis

Kang Mun-seong, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] The Jeonnam Provincial Council announced on the 21st that Assemblyman Kang Moon-seong (Democratic Party of Korea·Yeosu 2) held an on-site meeting on the 20th with officials from Jeonnam Province and Jeonnam Office of Education, as well as members of the Yeosu City Local Bookstore Association, to explore ways to revitalize local bookstores.

According to Assemblyman Kang Moon-seong, the number of local bookstores in Jeonnam decreased from 110 in 2003 to 64 in 2015, and due to worsening business conditions, the remaining bookstores are barely surviving.

Assemblyman Kang said, “To revitalize local bookstores, which serve as cultural community spaces, it is urgent to thoroughly implement the ‘Local Bookstore Certification System’ and resolve the issue of ghost bookstores winning bids. Although the government recommends prioritizing local bookstores when public institutions such as local governments and education offices purchase books to improve the profitability of local bookstores, the effect has been limited,” he pointed out.

He added, “Besides local bookstores, unrelated businesses such as cleaning service companies, construction companies, and restaurants have added bookstore business to their paperwork, or outside companies operate other stores within the region, entering bidding competitions and supplying books to public institutions, thereby pushing out local bookstores.”

To address these issues, Jeonnam Province recently amended related ordinances to introduce the Local Bookstore Certification System, establishing a legal basis to promote the business stability of local bookstores.

The certification conditions for local bookstores implemented by Jeonnam Province are defined as follows: ▲registered bookstore business as the main business of book sales ▲operating a certain scale of physical store in the province ▲continuous operation for more than one year based on the business registration date ▲bookstores operating for the general public.

However, Assemblyman Kang argued, “Among the 22 cities and counties in Jeonnam Province this year, only Gwangyang City and Yeosu City are implementing the Local Bookstore Certification System. Jeonnam Province needs more meticulous preparation before implementation and to supplement the system’s shortcomings.”

The attendees suggested alternatives such as operating the bookstore sales store for more than 40 hours per week, submitting six months of card transaction data for a certain portion, and establishing a re-examination system within two weeks if a certified bookstore receives a complaint.

Assemblyman Kang Moon-seong said, “I will carefully ensure that the voices of field officials are reflected in policy implementation,” and added, “Public institutions such as Jeonnam Province and Jeonnam Office of Education, schools, and libraries will be encouraged to prioritize purchasing from local bookstores. I will maintain continuous interest and do my best to help local bookstores transform into complex cultural spaces through humanities lectures and meetings with local authors.”

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