Lotte Scholarship Foundation Donates 7,755 Books Worth 100 Million Won to 53 Elementary Schools in Incheon

The Lotte Scholarship Foundation is donating 7,755 books valued at approximately 100 million won to 53 elementary schools in Incheon. The initiative aims to help children develop critical thinking and judgment skills through reading in an era increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence (AI).
 
On June 25, the Lotte Scholarship Foundation held the "2026 Book Dream Donation Ceremony" at Cheongcheon Elementary School in collaboration with the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education.
 
The Book Dream project was launched in 2015 to provide reading opportunities for students in regions with relatively limited access to books. To date, the Lotte Scholarship Foundation has donated approximately 3.3 billion won worth of physical books to 1,095 elementary, middle, and high schools across the country, including regions such as Gangwon, Gyeongnam, Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, and Jeju.
 
The foundation selected Incheon as this year's support area after thoroughly reviewing the local reading environment, including the number of public libraries and the volume of books available relative to the student population. In consultation with the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education, the foundation identified the recipient schools and recommended book lists, adjusting some titles to meet the age and demand of students at different schools.
 
Chairperson Jang Hye-seon expressed hope that the initiative would empower children in Incheon to think independently through reading and grow into leaders in the AI era. She added, "The Lotte Scholarship Foundation will continue to make various efforts to help our children grow into future leaders."
 
Additionally, the Lotte Scholarship Foundation, in partnership with the Korea Craft Artists Association, is hosting the "2026 Shin Kyuk-ho Lotte Najeonchilgi Craft Competition."
 
The total prize money for the competition is 50 million won, with each category winner receiving 10 million won. Other awards include a Grand Prize (5 million won), Excellence Award (2 million won), and Encouragement Award (1 million won), with a total of 14 winners selected. A separate award will be given to up to 5% of the total entries.
 
Submissions are open from June 22 to June 30 for nine days. The entries will undergo an initial online review, and only those who pass will be invited to submit physical works for a second round of judging.