Revitalizing K-Book: Experts from All Sectors Gather for Discussion

Minister Choi Hwiyoung Hosts Publishing Industry Communication Meeting
Stakeholders in Publishing, Distribution, Exports, and Web Novels Discuss Key Issues

Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, held the "Publishing Industry Communication Meeting" on the afternoon of the 26th at the Seoul Office of the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency. He listened to the opinions of field experts in the publishing industry and discussed sector-specific support measures for the development of the publishing industry.

Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (center), attended the "Publishing Industry Communication Meeting" held on the 26th at the Seoul Office of the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where he discussed sector-specific support measures for the development of the publishing industry with field experts. Provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

This meeting was attended by active participants from publishing, distribution, local bookstores, exports, and web novels, who shared the current status of the publishing industry and explored policy directions for supporting the publishing sector in line with evolving technological and social environments.

In the publishing sector, Kang Sungmin, Chairman of the Paju Book City Foundation; Kim Soyoung, CEO of Munhakdongne; Lee Kwangho, President of the Korean Publishers Association; and Cho Sojung, CEO of WeGo Publishing, participated. In the distribution sector, Park Hyunjin, CEO of Millie's Library, and Heo Jeongdo, CEO of Kyobo Book Centre, attended. For the local bookstore sector, Oh Myoungyoung, President of the Korea Bookstore Association, and Lee Daegun, President of the Local Bookstore Network, joined the meeting. In the export sector, Lee Jeongmin, CEO of JM Agency, and Hong Sooncheol, CEO of BC Agency, participated. In the web novel sector, Kim Hwanchul, Vice President of the Korean Publishers Association and President of the Korea Web Novel Association, and Son Jeho, CEO of Munpia, attended.

The participants emphasized that government support and budget for the overall publishing ecosystem must be further expanded to vitalize the industry. They called for enhanced support for translation and export agencies to match the growing global interest in "K-Book," the activation of cultural programs based on local bookstores in the era of shared reading, and the cultivation of web novel specialists as a future growth engine. They also stressed the need for institutional support, such as introducing tax credits for publishing production costs.

Minister Choi stated, "I also deeply resonate with the value of books and have engaged in various activities to promote book culture." He added, "Publishing, as a repository of knowledge and imagination, is not only valuable for its unique contribution to the humanities, but also serves as the driving force and foundational industry of 'K-Content,' forming a virtuous cycle of consumption across the content industry through the expansion of intellectual property (IP)." He further remarked, "Although the publishing industry faces significant challenges due to advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), I will continue to listen to the field and provide multifaceted support so that a wider variety of books can be published and distributed in line with the changing environment, and their appeal can spread worldwide."

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