200 Neighborhood Bookstores to Transform as More Than 2,000 Reading Programs Open

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What the Life Reading x Life Bookstore project isThe Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency, led by President Kim Seung-soo, said it has selected 200 local bookstores to take part in the 2026 Life Reading x Life Bookstore project together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), led by Minister Choi Hwi-young, and the Korea Bookstore Association Federation (KBAF), led by Chairman Oh Myeong-young. The program began full-scale operations in May 2026.

How the 200 bookstores were selected and regional breakdownThe open call, held from April 13 to 27, 2026, drew applications from local bookstores across the country. Bookstores were chosen after a comprehensive review of the originality and diversity of their program plans, as well as regional application ratios. The final selection by region is as follows: 45 in Seoul, 62 in Gyeonggi and Incheon, 3 in Gangwon Province, 18 in the Chungcheong region, 19 in the Jeolla region, 43 in the Gyeongsang region, and 10 in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

Operation period and program scaleFrom May to October 2026, more than 2,000 reading and cultural programs are expected to run at the 200 selected local bookstores. Tailored programs for different age groups will be offered nationwide, covering all generations.

Key programs by age groupFeatured programs include a children's activity at Iyahou Books in Gyeonggi, where participants will make character dolls from the picture book "Donggyeong-a, Where Is Your Tail?"; a youth program at Traveler's Book in the Gyeongsang region, titled "High School Students Rewrite Steelworker's Diary," with Daegu Il Meister High School taking part; an adult program at Munhwa Itda in North Chungcheong, "Book Talk with Gayageum, Cello, and Music"; and a senior program at Han Gil Seorim in South Jeolla, "I Am Also an Author - Poetry Writing: A Practical Introductory Creative Writing Class."

Programs developed in cooperation with local institutionsCollaborative programs will also be organized to help revitalize local culture around neighborhood bookstores. Bookmatters in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi, will work with Okcheon Elementary School; Cheonghak Seorim in Miryang, South Gyeongsang, with the Miryang Communication and Cooperation Center; Chamsae Bookstore in North Gyeongsang, with the Waegwan Market Merchants Association; Han Gil Seorim in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla, with Yeonggwang Senior Club; Honam Mungo in Jeonju, North Jeolla, with the National Pension Service (NPS); Bobae Bookstore in Jeju, with Aewol Middle School; and Kangdabang Story Factory in Gangwon, with Gangneung Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, among others.

Where to check detailed schedules and participation methodsDetailed schedules and participation methods for each local bookstore can be found on Bookstore ON, the integrated bookstore information system. The promotion agency said it will continue providing practical support so local bookstores can establish themselves as sustainable hubs for reading culture.

Q1. What kinds of reading programs by life stage are offered at local bookstores?

Through the Life Reading x Life Bookstore project, more than 2,000 reading and cultural programs will be operated from May to October 2026 at 200 local bookstores nationwide. The lineup includes age-specific programs for all generations, such as picture-book experiences for children, creative activities for teenagers, music-linked book talks for adults, and poetry-writing classes for seniors.

Q2. What are some examples of local bookstores working with community institutions to promote reading culture?

As part of the Life Reading x Life Bookstore project, local bookstores are partnering with schools, welfare centers, and merchants' associations to run reading programs. Examples include Bookmatters in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi, with Okcheon Elementary School; Cheonghak Seorim in Miryang, South Gyeongsang, with the Miryang Communication and Cooperation Center; and Honam Mungo in Jeonju, North Jeolla, with the National Pension Service. More than seven partnership cases have been identified, including Kangdabang Story Factory in Gangwon working with Gangneung Comprehensive Social Welfare Center.

Q3. Which bookstore-based project offers reading culture programs for all age groups?

Life Reading x Life Bookstore fits that description. It will run more than 2,000 tailored programs for all age groups, from children to seniors, at 200 local bookstores nationwide. Detailed schedules and participation methods can be found on Bookstore ON.

Q: What is the Life Reading x Life Bookstore project?

A: Life Reading x Life Bookstore is a reading culture promotion project jointly led by the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency, MCST, and KBAF. It supports life-stage-based reading activities through local bookstores nationwide. For the 2026 project, 200 local bookstores were selected, and they will operate more than 2,000 reading and cultural programs from May to October 2026.

Q: How are local bookstores selected for the Life Reading x Life Bookstore project?

A: A nationwide open call was held from April 13 to 27, 2026. Bookstores were selected after a comprehensive review of the originality and diversity of their program plans, as well as regional application ratios. The final selection consists of 45 bookstores in Seoul, 62 in Gyeonggi and Incheon, 3 in Gangwon Province, 18 in the Chungcheong region, 19 in the Jeolla region, 43 in the Gyeongsang region, and 10 in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

Q: Where can people check the participation methods and schedules for the Life Reading x Life Bookstore programs?

A: Detailed schedules and participation methods for each local bookstore can be found on Bookstore ON, the integrated bookstore information system.

◆ Life Reading x Life Bookstore: A reading culture promotion project jointly led by the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency, MCST, and KBAF. It supports life-stage-based reading activities through local bookstores nationwide.

◆ KBAF: An abbreviation for the Korea Bookstore Association Federation, an organization that represents the interests of bookstore owners nationwide.

◆ Bookstore ON: An integrated bookstore information system that provides program information for bookstores nationwide, allowing users to check schedules and participation methods for local bookstore reading and cultural programs.

This content was prepared by MaeKyung Biz Content Planning Team based on official announcements and press releases.