Gyeonggi Province is introducing a local currency reward system for reading activities.
On June 26, Gyeonggi Provincial Government announced that it will launch the "Cheongwonuro Reading Points Program," the nation's first initiative to reward reading activities with local currency, starting July 1. While there have been mileage or incentive programs for reading activities before, this is the first time that local currency is being used as a reward.
The Cheongwonuro Reading Points Program is a policy that grants up to 60,000 won worth of points annually to 40,000 Gyeonggi residents aged 14 and older. The program was designed to enhance literacy skills needed in the era of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Points can be accumulated through a variety of reading activities, including purchasing books, borrowing books from libraries, writing reading journals, posting reviews, and participating in the Cheongwon Club (reading group activities).
After verifying each activity (such as receipts, photos, or journal entries), points are automatically credited. Accumulated points are converted into local currency on the 25th of each month. The converted local currency can be used to purchase books at local bookstores within the province.
The point accumulation period runs from July 1 to November 24, and the distributed local currency must be used by December 7. Any unused points after this period will be automatically forfeited.
In addition to the basic points, Gyeonggi Province will also offer various additional rewards, including a sign-up bonus, a referral bonus, and a 21-day attendance check challenge bonus. The Reading Points Program will be operated through a dedicated platform (library.kr/bookpoint).
Kang Hyunseok, Director of the Future Lifelong Education Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, said, "Through the Cheongwonuro Reading Points Program, we hope residents will read for 10 minutes every day, one book every month, and reach a lifetime goal of 1,000 books."
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province has been promoting the "Cheongwonuro Lifelong Reading Project" since February 25, following the declaration of the 1,000 Books Reading Vision by Governor Kim Dongyeon.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
