Enjoying a "Booknic" in the Park... Mayor Lee Sang-il Vows to Support Happy Reading for Yongin Citizens

Yongin City Successfully Holds the 2nd Park Reading Party at Suji Sinjeong Park
Mayor Lee Sang-il Engages with Over 150 Citizens While Enjoying Aimbusker Performance

The spring days of Yongin Special City, known as the 'City of Reading' (Mayor Lee Sang-il), were filled with the scent of books.

Lee Sang-il, mayor of Yongin Special City, is delivering a greeting at the “2nd Park Reading Party” held on the 17th at Sinjeong Park Reading Square in Suji District. Provided by Yongin City

On April 17th, Yongin Special City in Gyeonggi Province announced that it had held the '2nd Park Reading Party' at the Sinjeong Park Reading Square in Suji District, where citizens could read books and engage in conversations with each other amid nature.

This event was organized to commemorate 'Library Day' on April 12 and aimed to promote the joy of reading and increase citizens' affinity for libraries.

Mayor Lee Sang-il and about 150 citizens enjoyed a meaningful time participating in a 'Booknic' (Book + Picnic) on this day.

At this year's second Park Reading Party, various experience booths drew attention, including 'Reading My Life Book' and transcribing the 2026 Book of the Year.

The city provided 20 shade canopies and 30 camping chairs as part of the 'Booknic' theme, creating a relaxing reading space where citizens could freely read books.

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, attends the "2nd Park Reading Party" held at Sinjeong Park Reading Square in Suji-gu on the 17th and delivers a greeting. Provided by Yongin City

The 'Reading My Life Book Together' booth, where individuals introduced books that made a deep impression on them, attracted a large crowd of citizens.

A book talk by author Kim Jung-hyuk and a performance by Aimbusker featuring Kang Ye-young and Chaebi also received a great response. Mayor Lee applauded during Kang Ye-young's performance, which focused on the theme of 'happiness.'

The passion for reading in Yongin is also supported by data. The reading rate of Yongin citizens is 54.2%, significantly higher than the national adult average of 38.5%. In particular, Suji Library has ranked first in the nation in book loans for two consecutive years, and 10 out of the top 100 libraries nationwide in terms of loans are located in Yongin, demonstrating the city's deep-rooted reading culture.

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, is watching a performance by citizens and Im Busker at the '2nd Park Reading Party' held at Sinjeong Park Reading Square in Suji District on the 17th. Provided by Yongin City

The city is significantly expanding its library infrastructure to increase satisfaction among library users.

In March, the city reopened Yongin Central Library, located in Yeokbuk-dong, Cheoin District, after a renovation project that cost a total of KRW 10.3 billion.

Dongbaek Library in Giheung District will undergo facility improvements at a cost of KRW 7,055 million, with the goal of reopening in the second half of 2029.

Lee Sang-il, mayor of Yongin Special City, is sharing his "life book" with citizens at an experience booth during the 2nd Park Reading Party held at Sinjeong Park Reading Plaza in Suji District on the 17th. Provided by Yongin City

Dukjeon Library in Suji District will be remodeled with a total project budget of KRW 5,666 million, including KRW 3,966 million in national funding, by December 2027.

Gugal Hope Nuri Library in Giheung District is also scheduled to begin construction for facility improvements, with completion targeted for December this year.

Mayor Lee Sang-il said, "The reading rate of Yongin citizens is 54.2%, much higher than the national average of 38.5%, and Suji Library has ranked first nationwide in the number of loans for two consecutive years, reflecting the city's strong passion for reading. The city is making significant efforts to improve library infrastructure and services, with the budget for new book acquisitions being twice as much as neighboring cities with larger populations."

Yisangil, Mayor of Yongin Special City, is visiting the site of the "2nd Park Reading Party" held at Sinjeong Park Reading Square in Suji District on the 17th, touring the experience booths. Provided by Yongin City

He added, "We will continue to improve library facilities and develop excellent reading programs for the 1.1 million citizens of Yongin."

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