2025 Seoul International Book Fair
Record-Breaking Crowds Lead to Early Bird Sellout
No Separate Allocation for On-Site Tickets
On-Site Purchases Unavailable This Year
Publishers Association: "We Apologize for the Disappointment"
Early bird tickets for the upcoming Seoul International Book Fair, scheduled to open on June 18, have sold out, resulting in the cancellation of on-site ticket sales for this year. In response, the Korean Publishers Association, which organizes the event, issued an official apology.
According to the association, this year’s ticket sales did not distinguish between early bird and on-site ticket allocations, and advance sales began without such separation. The association had expected that on-site tickets would remain available for weekdays, excluding weekends, but explained that due to increased popularity, all tickets sold out even for weekdays. As a result, on-site ticket purchases and same-day admission will not be possible at this year’s Seoul International Book Fair.
The association explained that restricting on-site sales was an unavoidable measure for safety reasons. A representative stated, “We decided to issue tickets only to those eligible for free admission because we believe safety must be our top priority,” adding, “Since the event is held indoors, we could not ignore the maximum capacity for the space to ensure safety and prevent accidents. We apologize for not considering every possibility and for disappointing those who wished to attend.” However, preschool children, people with disabilities, national merit recipients, and those aged 65 and older will still be allowed same-day admission on-site.
With an unprecedented crowd expected, safety management has become a top concern. The association stated, “We anticipate significant congestion throughout the 2025 Seoul International Book Fair. We plan to double the number of registration desks compared to previous years and to open entrances at both Hall A and Hall B to help disperse the crowd,” adding, “We are holding meetings with COEX, the exhibition venue, and safety experts assisting with admissions to secure safety personnel in advance and prepare the necessary equipment to minimize waiting times as much as possible.”
To prevent a recurrence, the association plans to secure more space for next year’s event. The association said, “We have been discussing the possibility of expanding the exhibition area at COEX since last year,” adding, “Based on this year’s experience, we will conduct in-depth research to establish the best admission system. At the very least, we will secure additional exhibition space by signing contracts in advance for the year after next.”
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