Mokpo National University Library, 'Citizen Writing Project' Publication Celebration

10 Citizen Writers Publish 'Yeol Gwangjuri Jewelry Box'

The National Mokpo University Library (President Song Ha-cheol) announced on the 16th that it held a publication celebration for "Ten Gwangjuri Jewel Boxes," the result of the "2024 Citizen Writing Book Project," on the afternoon of the 13th at Park Tae-young Hall on the 2nd floor of the Knowledge Information Center.

The "Citizen Writing Book Project" is a program promoted to share university resources and create a reading culture ecosystem led by the university library, designed to allow participants to experience everything from manuscript writing to one-on-one feedback and publishing.

Under the guidance of writer Jeong Seong-woo, 10 participants ranging in age from their 20s to 80s shared their stories, collected their writings through the author's revisions, and completed ISBN issuance, officially publishing the book under the title "Ten Gwangjuri Jewel Boxes."

At the publication celebration of "Yeol Gwangjuri Jewelry Box," citizen writers who participated in the 2024 Citizen Writing Project are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Mokpo National University

The celebration began with a commemorative speech by Kim Sun-hwa, director of the National Mokpo University Library, followed by a book delivery ceremony, commemorative photo session, and mutual evaluations. In particular, writer Jeong Seong-woo, who guided the writing process, sent a video message congratulating the participants on facing themselves through writing and publishing, overcoming their former selves, and expressing hope that writing will continue to be a force that propels them forward, making the publication celebration even more meaningful.

Citizen writer Park Chun-geun, who participated in the project, said, "Writing a book was one of my bucket list items, and I am happy to have been able to achieve this dream through Mokpo University. While writing, I was able to reflect on my inner self and regain important life values," adding, "It feels like I received a great gift in life through this program. I hope the Citizen Writing Book Project will be successfully planned again next year."

Kim Sun-hwa, director of the Mokpo University Library, said, "I feel deeply moved to have successfully completed the first project exclusively for local residents," and added, "As someone who majored in literature, I know very well how difficult and arduous it is to create a work. I salute the writers who endured this and produced a piece."

Director Kim continued, "Our library will continue to break down the boundaries between the university and the local community and promote various programs to spread the reading culture among local residents. We ask for your great interest and participation."

Meanwhile, the Mokpo University Library is actively providing library facility access and planning reading content for local residents to foster a humanities environment in the local community.