355 Billion KRW Budget for Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency in 2025
27 Billion KRW Increase from Previous Year
Focus on Converting Non-Readers into Readers
Expansion of Programs Linking Local Governments and Bookstores
Strengthened Support for Globalization of Korean Books
This year, the budget of the Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency to revitalize the publishing industry increased by 2.767 billion KRW compared to last year. The agency will newly create regional culture-based reading programs and strengthen support for local bookstores to convert non-readers into readers. The overseas book export program has also been significantly expanded in hopes of producing a second Han River success story.
On the 19th, the Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency held the 2025 Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency Business Briefing at the SBA Hall of the Seoul Business Agency in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seomideum.
According to the business briefing held on the 19th by the Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency at the SBA Hall of the Seoul Business Agency in Mapo-gu, Seoul, this year’s budget is 35.59 billion KRW, an increase of 2.767 billion KRW compared to last year. Specifically, 18.853 billion KRW is allocated for fostering excellent publishing content (an increase of 1.514 billion KRW from the previous year), 10.161 billion KRW for supporting publishing industry distribution (a decrease of 590 million KRW), 5.366 billion KRW for establishing the publishing industry foundation (an increase of 1.843 billion KRW), 257 million KRW for the National Sports Promotion Fund including projects such as the ‘Book Reading Volunteer Corps,’ and 872 million KRW for basic projects including review operations.
This year’s publishing industry survey will be conducted more thoroughly. A new semi-annual statistical trend report will be published. Annual statistics on new book publications, the number of publishing companies (and their ratios), and statistics on publishing, production, sales, and consumers will be compiled.
A local export coordinator system by country will be operated. Market trends in 13 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Vietnam will be surveyed, and a human network in the reading distribution industry will be established. Monthly survey reports will be published on the agency’s website. For export books, support of up to 2 million KRW per case will be provided for sample translation and proofreading for up to 15 cases. Portfolio production support will provide actual expenses up to 3 million KRW per language. For web novels, sample translation and proofreading support of up to 15 million KRW (based on 150,000 characters) will be provided.
The integrated publishing distribution computer network will expand the scope of data disclosure. It will link Woongjin Booksen’s inventory data to allow confirmation within the network. Sales data linkage rates will be improved by connecting local bookstore POS systems with the network. Collaboration with major e-book distribution platforms will also link e-book sales data.
Sejong Books will select 390 titles in the academic category and 440 titles in the general knowledge category, providing support of 8.5 to 10 million KRW per title. Selected books will be distributed to about 1,400 locations domestically and internationally. To enhance fairness in selection, a public hearing will be held in September.
The Literature Sharing Distribution Project will select up to 390 titles, providing support of 9 to 10 million KRW per title. Selected books will be distributed to 1,900 locations domestically and internationally.
E-books will be supported by selecting 600 titles through four announcements annually. ‘EPUB 2’ will receive 500,000 KRW, and ‘EPUB 3’ will receive up to 3.5 million KRW in support.
Audiobooks will select up to 290 titles through two announcements annually, providing up to 5 million KRW per title in support.
For local bookstores, a joint delivery and shipping system will be operated to provide logistics cost reduction benefits. Regional hub centers will be established in three locations nationwide, and joint delivery vehicles will be operated from the Paju logistics center to provide logistics cost savings.
Local bookstores will be recruited and supported in five regions nationwide, totaling 80 stores. Support will cover costs for operating book curation shelves, marketing, and facility environment improvements.
The Illegal Distribution Reporting Center for publications will operate to crack down on violations of the book fixed price system and hoarding, filing complaints as necessary. Additionally, to curb illegal copying, an illegal book transaction monitoring system will be established in 100 schools nationwide.
This year’s Korea Reading Festival will designate Gimpo City, Gyeonggi-do, as the ‘City of Books’ and conduct various activities. Over 150 events including exhibitions, experiences, lectures, performances, and discussions will be held year-round. The main event will be held for three days in September around Han River Central Park in Gimpo.
A new regional-linked reading program will start this year. If local governments plan programs such as Book Stay, Reading Tours, Reading Camps, and Workations, each local government will receive 600 million KRW in support.
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