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Meeting Children and the Sea Through Books: 2025 Busan International Children’s Book Fair Opens on December 11

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will host the 2025 Busan International Children’s Book Fair for four days from December 11 to 14 at BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1.

Following the success of its inaugural event last year, the second edition of the Busan International Children’s Book Fair will bring together more than 160 children’s book publishers and institutions from 24 countries, as well as approximately 140 distinguished authors from Korea and abroad, to present a global cultural festival for young readers.

Last year’s (2024) fair featured 193 participating organizations from 16 countries and attracted about 50,000 visitors (with over 110,000 website visits).

This year’s event will include a diverse array of programs such as an exhibition of more than 400 books and a special showcase of original illustrations; talks and meet-the-author sessions with domestic and international writers; a publishing and copyright (IP) market; and a wide variety of hands-on activities. These programs aim to offer children opportunities to unleash their imagination and dreams in the vast sea of books.

2025 Busan International Children’s Book Fair

• ●(Period/Venue) December 11 (Thu)–14 (Sun), 2025, for four days / BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1

• ●(Main Programs) Opening ceremony, special exhibitions, publishing and copyright (IP) market, side events, etc.

• ●(Scale) About 160 participating publishers; anticipated attendance of around 60,000 visitors

• ●(Hosted/Organized by) Korean Publishers Association / Seoul International Book Fair, BEXCO
  ※ Supported by: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Busan Metropolitan City

Exhibitions at the venue will feature over 400 books themed Children and the Sea, the ten titles awarded as “Korea’s Most Delightful Books,” and more than 60 original illustrations inspired by the sea. In addition, many distinguished domestic and international authors—who are not easily encountered in everyday life—will participate, offering meaningful opportunities for in-depth engagement with readers.

○ Meet-the-Author Programs: International authors such as Jordan Scott (Canada) and Tang Mu-niu (Taiwan), as well as leading Korean authors including Jinju & Gahee, Chayada, and Lee Ji-eun, will meet directly with readers.
○ Special Exhibition of Original Picture Book Illustrations: More than 60 illustrators including Gae-ae and Kang Hyo-seon will present works exploring themes of nature, life, imagination, and emotion through the sea. Visitors will have the chance to appreciate unique original artworks showcasing diverse interpretations of the ocean.

○ Publishing and Copyright (IP) Market: The copyright center—operating throughout the fair—will host 29 participating companies from 23 countries, 13 more countries than last year. It aims to support the export of Korean children’s book copyrights and expand networking opportunities among publishing experts.

○ Side Events and Experience Programs: Popular creators including Superman, Back & A, and Holit will hold autograph sessions and performances for young visitors. Additional programs include participatory exhibitions with authors, a “Make Your Own Picture Book” workshop, and “Kids Atelier,” where children can freely draw on a large canvas.

Busan Metropolitan City has also organized various programs to provide local children with broader access to reading-culture experiences.

○ Big Eye Doran-Doran Exhibition Booth: A special booth operated by a children’s press corps, who will cover the fair onsite and introduce the city’s children’s newspaper and their reporting activities to visitors.
○ Children’s Docent Program: Elementary school students in Busan will serve as trained docents, guiding visitors through the exhibition and offering unique educational experiences.
○ Invitations for Children from Underprivileged Groups: Children from disadvantaged backgrounds within the region will be invited to tour the exhibition and participate in hands-on programs.

Detailed information on the event is available on the official website of the Busan International Children’s Book Fair at bicbf.or.kr. For inquiries, please contact the event organizer at 02-733-8402.

Jo Yu-jang, Director of the Culture Bureau, stated, “The Busan International Children’s Book Fair is establishing itself as a global festival where the world connects through Korean children’s literature. We hope this becomes a valuable opportunity for our children to discover new perspectives and nurture their dreams through books, and we ask for the public’s interest and participation.”