Fostering the Power of Critical Thinking in the AI Era... Ministry of Culture Launches Nationwide Reading Campaign

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will actively promote the nationwide reading campaign "2026 Reading Korea" in celebration of World Book Day. The inauguration ceremony will be held at 4 PM on the 23rd at the Starfield Library in COEX, Seoul.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is launching a nationwide reading campaign, "2026 Reading Korea," to mark World Book Day. The proclamation ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. on the 23rd at the Starfield Library in COEX, Seoul. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

원본보기 아이콘

On April 21, the Ministry announced that it would launch this campaign in cooperation with the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency and the Reading Society Cultural Foundation. The aim of this initiative is to foster the power of critical thinking among the public in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and to spread the joy of reading in everyday life.

The inauguration ceremony will be divided into two parts: a lecture in Part 1 and the main event in Part 2. In Part 1, literary critic Na Minae will deliver a lecture. In Part 2, Ko Myunghwan will host the event, which will feature a performance of the musical "A Thousand Blues," a book talk, the announcement of the campaign slogan, and a book gifting ceremony. Writers Jung Saerang, Yozoh, and Ive's Gaeul will also participate in the book talk.

From April 23 to 26, during the inauguration period, experience booths will be set up near the Starfield Library, offering activities such as reading tendency analysis, bookmark and keychain making, a sentence vending machine, and a book exchange station.

Programs will continue throughout the year. The Ministry will run a "Reading Relay" involving campaign partners and Cabinet members, and it will introduce a "Reading of the Month" service that provides information on major reading events each month. Starting in May, customized reading programs will be held at 200 local bookstores nationwide, and workplace libraries and e-book subscriptions will be supported at workplaces recognized for excellence in reading management.

In addition, starting at the end of April, late-night bookstores will open at 140 bookstores across the country. From June, the "On Bookstore" service will offer free access to e-books and audiobooks on the first Wednesday of every month. Both online and offline, participatory reading challenges such as "Book Certification" and "Book Check-in" will also be held.

The Ministry also plans to expand themed programs according to the season, such as for families and travel, as well as reading programs linked to local cultural and tourism resources.

Choi Hwi-Young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "I hope people will discover the joy of reading together and bring books closer to their everyday lives."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.