Goryeong, Seongju, Yeongyang, Uiseong, Only One Place
‘Return Purchased Books → Refund’ Initiative 추진
Assemblyman Im Byeong-ha of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council (People Power Party, Yeongju) proposed the "Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on the Revitalization of Local Bookstores in Gyeongsangbuk-do," which focuses on revitalizing local bookstores and prioritizing the purchase of books from local bookstores, including a book price refund program to activate local bookstores and expand the base of readers.
Recently, small local bookstores have been rapidly declining due to competition from large and online bookstores. In particular, in Gyeongbuk, there are no bookstores in Cheongsong, Bonghwa, and Ulleung, and only one bookstore each in Goryeong, Seongju, Yeongyang, and Uiseong, raising concerns about the disappearance of local bookstores. Therefore, there is an urgent need to expand support and establish countermeasures.
The amendment newly introduces a book price refund program as part of the local bookstore revitalization support project. The book price refund program reimburses part of the book price in the form of book exchange vouchers or local gift certificates when books purchased at local bookstores are returned, and the returned books are donated to small libraries. This program will be implemented in 2024 targeting Mungyeong, Yeongdeok, Goryeong, and Yecheon.
Additionally, the governor is authorized to prioritize purchases through local bookstores or local bookstore cooperatives, and support schools, public institutions, and city/county libraries that purchase books from local bookstores.
Assemblyman Im Byeong-ha of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council emphasized, “Local bookstores have long played an important role as spaces for the reading culture and rest for residents, but recently they have faced difficulties due to intensified competition with online bookstores and large chain bookstores. Therefore, Gyeongsangbuk-do must actively take steps to save local bookstores.” He added, “I hope this ordinance amendment will help stabilize the management of local bookstores and serve as an opportunity to spread the reading culture and activate reading-related activities among local residents.”
This ordinance amendment is scheduled to be finally approved at the 2nd plenary session of the 346th Gyeongbuk Provincial Council extraordinary meeting on May 3.
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