Privatization Controversy at Seoul International Book Fair: "A Public Discussion Body Must Be Formed"

Seven Publishing and Cultural Organizations Call for Formation of a Public Discussion Body

There has been a call to establish a public discussion body to restore the public nature of the Seoul International Book Fair, which has been embroiled in controversy over privatization led by the president of the Korean Publishers Association and several others.

The Seoul International Book Fair held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on June 30 last year is bustling with crowds. Photo by Yonhap News

On April 30, seven publishing and cultural organizations, including the Korean Publishers Association, the Writers Association of Korea, the Children's and Young Adult Authors' Solidarity, the National Independent Bookstore Network, and the Cultural Solidarity, issued a joint statement. They argued, "In order to restore the public nature of the Seoul International Book Fair and seek sustainable management, we should form a public discussion body with broad participation from various publishing organizations, writers' associations, and bookstore groups."

They further pointed out, "The Seoul International Book Fair does not belong to any one individual; it is a cultural asset jointly created by publishers, writers, booksellers, and readers. Everyone must work together within a public framework to build the future of the book fair." As solutions, they demanded the cancellation of the conversion of the book fair into a corporation, a review of the shareholding structure, and the expansion of sustainable public support.

The Korean Publishers Association converted the Seoul International Book Fair into a corporation last year after a conflict with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism over direct government support resulted in the withdrawal of that support.

During this process, the association was criticized for failing to ensure transparency, such as not disclosing the shareholder registry or holding public hearings, and for allowing a few corporations and individuals to monopolize shares. Currently, the shares of the Seoul International Book Fair are held equally at 30% each by the Korean Publishers Association, Saehoipyungron Co., Ltd., and Nowon Bookstore Co., Ltd.