The 2026 Seoul International Book Fair will take place from June 24 to 28 at COEX in Samseong-dong, featuring over 530 publishers from Korea and abroad.
The Korean Publishers Association announced on May 22 that this year's theme is "Homo duduri," unveiling related programs.
"Duduri" refers to a mythical figure from ancient Korean texts and the old name for a blacksmith. The theme emphasizes the importance of questioning and expanding human thought in an era where AI provides quick answers and efficiency.
This year's fair will host 530 publishers and publishing-related organizations from 18 countries. The guest country, France, will present various programs under the theme "Lire la France" (Read France). Twelve prominent French authors, including novelist Bernard Werber, children's author Mario de Muraïu, picture book author Anne Laval, and philosopher Pascal Bruckner, will participate in the event.
The domestic section will feature a book market, exhibitions, lectures, and signings. The "Book Village," showcasing art books and independent publishers, will bring together over 110 independent publishing houses. Notably, this year, the Book Village will invite the Taiwan Independent Publishing Association, the Japan Independent Publishing Expo, and the Singapore Art Book Fair.
Additionally, a special exhibition titled "Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Kim Gu's Birth" will be presented by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, allowing visitors to read Kim Gu's writings and create their own declarations.
A variety of lectures, seminars, author meet-and-greets, and workshops are also planned. Featured speakers include novelists Eun Hee-kyung, Kim Ae-ran, Baek Su-rin, Jeong Bora, Lee Ju-hye, Park Sun-woo, poets Oh Eun and Hwang In-chan, and An Mi-ok. Themed seminars will include discussions with neuroscientist Jang Dong-seon, musician Sunwoo Jung-a, actress Kim Shin-rok, novelist Jang Ryu-jin, and Mind Minor's Song Gil-young.
International author talks will feature a discussion between Park Ji-sun, author of "Luminous," and domestic science fiction writer Kim Cho-yeop, as well as a conversation between Kwon Oh-gyeong, author of "Incendiaries," and domestic author Pyeon Hye-young. Taiwanese international author Chien Tse-hung and screenwriter Chan Wai, known for the film "Comrades: Almost a Love Story," will also hold book talks at the fair.
Meet-and-greet sessions will include experts from various fields, such as Choi Jae-cheon, representative of the Biodiversity Foundation, creator Im Ra-ra, monk Jeong-gwan, actress Shin So-yul, picture book author Lee Soo-ji, and Jeon Bo-ra.
Early bird tickets will be available from June 8 to 12, general tickets from June 13 to 23, and on-site tickets from June 24 to 28.
Meanwhile, the Korean Publishers Association recently held a press conference announcing plans to improve governance and restore public interest in the book fair by the end of the year. They also aim to enhance copyright transactions and expand discussions on technological changes in the publishing industry.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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