Over 150,000 Visitors Flock to Seoul International Book Fair: The Unwavering Passion for Reading

[Anchor]

More than 150,000 book lovers flocked to the Seoul International Book Fair, which concluded today (June 28). In the era of AI, the younger generation is showing even greater enthusiasm for books.

Reporter Lee Ju-sang covered the scene.

[Reporter]

The Seoul International Book Fair is growing more popular every year.

Long lines have formed at every event booth, and there is barely any room to stand in front of the towering bookshelves.

With 530 publishers and related organizations from 18 countries participating, tickets, which were limited to 30,000 per day over the five-day event, sold out early.

[Lee Soo-jung / Gwanak-gu, Seoul: Even if you don't read much, coming here makes you want to buy books. I think that creates a very positive cycle. It makes you think, if I want to buy them, maybe I should try reading them too.]

The theme of this year's book fair is Human Declaration.

It is a question regarding the unique domain of humanity in the age of AI.

[Park Woon / Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do: We have to accept that AI is coming, and I think the most important thing is how we use AI through books, as a tool.]

France, the guest of honor this year, set up a large booth where popular authors greeted visitors.

[Bernard Werber: I am sorry that space is limited despite so many of you coming. Usually, I say a lot of silly things, but I probably shouldn't do that today.]

This year, a world of books also unfolded outside the main venue of the Seoul International Book Fair.

Small-scale publishers held their own independent book fair.

[Ha Jung / Organizer of the Seoul Independent Book Fair: Not all books get the chance to be featured at a book fair. Whether it is self-help books, children's books, or art books, we created a space where all books can gather and meet their readers.]

Publishers who oppose the commercial operation of the Seoul International Book Fair also held a separate event.

While the overall reading population is declining, the trend of reading, led by the younger generation, remains strong.

(Video Editing: Park Chun-bae, VJ: Oh Se-kwan)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.