Choi Huieyoung: "What We Need in the Era of Short-Form Content Is to Pause"... Opening the First Chapter of 'Reading Korea'

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Huieong attended the proclamation ceremony of the national reading campaign '2026 Reading Korea' held at the Starfield Library in COEX, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd. He engaged in a conversation about books with actor and writer Go Myeonghwan, writer Jung Serang, singer and writer Yojo, and IVE members Gaeul, all of whom participated as 'campaign partners.' Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

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This statement from Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Huieyoung, delivered at the proclamation ceremony for the "2026 Reading Korea" campaign held on April 23 to mark World Book Day, succinctly captured the direction of the campaign. It was a declaration of intent to bring reading back into the rhythm of daily life in an era dominated by rapid and intense stimulation.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that, together with the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea and the Reading Society Cultural Foundation, it held the "Reading Korea" proclamation ceremony at COEX Starfield Library on this day and would officially launch a nationwide initiative to promote a reading culture. The campaign's official slogan, "Just Because I Like (書)," was selected through a public contest.

Minister Choi repeatedly emphasized the benefits of reading in his welcome speech and during the book talk. He said, "When we pursue efficiency, we tend to ignore inefficiency and disregard things that seem impractical or meaningless. Books prompt us to reflect on the direction we need in life and reconsider whether it is right to relentlessly pursue extreme efficiency."

He continued, "Books can illuminate the paths we should take, and they can offer unexpected joy and new discoveries. They also help us empathize with lives different from our own, and through that empathy, elevate the collective warmth of society-a noble act."

Minister Choi also shared his own reading methods. He said, "When I come across something I don't understand while reading, I just move on, and that has made reading much more enjoyable and easier for me. By removing the pressure to finish every book and keeping books in various places throughout my daily routine to read whenever I have a moment, books have become a source of vitality in my life."

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Huieong attended the national reading campaign "2026 Reading Korea" launch ceremony held on the 23rd at Starfield Library in COEX, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and gifted books to the attendees and took commemorative photos. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

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The event was attended by novelist Jung Seryang, singer and author Yozo, and IVE member Gaeul, who shared their perspectives on the meaning of reading and their own reading preferences. The discussion was hosted by actor and author Go Myunghwan. Minister Choi selected Park Kyung-ni's "Toji" as the book that had the greatest impact on his life, and at a separate reading experience booth, he recommended Kim Gyeoul's "The Joy of Reading," describing it as "a warm book that reminds us how the joy of reading can become the strength of life."

Gaeul emphasized the emotional benefits of reading. She said, "When I watch fast-paced media, I easily lose track of time and a couple of hours can slip by. But with a book, I pause, close the cover, and take a moment to organize my thoughts as I gaze into space. I try to set aside time before bed to focus entirely on myself, even if it's just a few pages or a few lines. Reading a book instead of looking at my phone before falling asleep helps me sleep much more deeply." Gaeul chose Kim Youngha's "Memoir of a Murderer" as her life-changing book, saying, "It was the first work that taught me the joy of reading."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will use this campaign as an opportunity to expand reading culture initiatives nationwide. To start, more than 200 local bookstores across the country will host customized cultural programs for different age groups. For adults, the "Late-Night Bookstore" program will launch at 140 bookstores nationwide at the end of this month. On "Culture Day," which falls on the first Wednesday of every month, the "Online Bookstore" service will allow free access to e-books and audiobooks.

On the 23rd, at the Starfield Library in COEX, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Ga-eul, a member of the girl group IVE, who attended the national reading campaign launch ceremony "2026 Reading Korea," is talking about books with campaign partners. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

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Efforts to create reading-friendly environments in workplaces will also be implemented. The Ministry plans to expand support for "Reading Management Excellent Workplaces," backing the establishment of in-office libraries and online e-book subscriptions. Online participation programs have also been prepared to help make reading a daily habit. A "Reading Relay" will be held on social network services (SNS) to encourage people to share their daily reading experiences, along with a "Booklog Certification" program requiring participants to complete reading tasks, and a "Book-in" challenge-visiting and certifying visits to notable bookstores and libraries nationwide.

From April 23 to 26, citizen-participation experience booths will be set up near Starfield Library, coinciding with the proclamation ceremony. Activities will include reading preference analysis, making bookmarks and keychains, book exchange stations, sentence vending machines, and pledge photo zones to encourage reading.

This campaign is joined by prominent cultural and artistic figures such as Moon Sori, Kim Geumhee, Lee Seula, Jung Seryang, Yozo, Go Myunghwan, and Gaeul as "campaign partners." They plan to continue sharing the joy and meaning of reading throughout the year.

Minister Choi said, "As the sound of turning book pages grows louder, our thoughts will deepen and our world will expand. I hope you will gladly join us on this exciting journey."

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