Online Bookstores Thrive as Local Shops Struggle Under Price System
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- A public discussion on improving South Korea's book price system revealed that online bookstores are the primary purchasing channel for readers, with nearly half also buying books through general online shopping malls.
- This trend is putting significant pressure on small, local bookstores, despite an increase in the number of published titles.
- The discussion also highlighted the need for increased budgets for public libraries, as the number of books purchased per library has decreased over the past decade, even as the total number of published works has grown.
The recent public forum on improving the book price system, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Publishing Culture Promotion Agency, has brought to light critical issues facing the nation's publishing industry. The findings are clear: South Korean readers overwhelmingly prefer purchasing books online, with 80.9% citing online bookstores as their main source, and a significant 45.4% also utilizing general online shopping malls. This dominance of online retail has led to a severe downturn for small, local bookstores, which are struggling to compete.
online bookstores are the primary purchasing channel for readers, with nearly half also buying books through general online shopping malls.
This shift towards online purchasing, facilitated by discounts, mileage points, and free shipping offered by major online retailers, has fueled the growth of internet bookstores. Since the revised book price system in 2014, online bookstores have more than doubled their sales, reaching an estimated 2.565 trillion won in 2025. In contrast, most offline and local bookstores have fallen into a deep slump. While the current book price system, which allows discounts and benefits within a 15% range, is viewed positively by a majority of readers (45.6%), the disparity in market share is undeniable.
online book sales have more than doubled since the revised book price system in 2014, reaching 2.565 trillion won in 2025.
The discussion also underscored a pressing concern for public libraries. Despite an increase in the number of published books, libraries are acquiring fewer titles per institution. Data shows a 20.7% decrease in the number of books purchased per public library from 2015 to 2024, while the total number of published titles increased by 35.1% in the same period. This means libraries can now only afford to purchase 7.3% of all published works, compared to 12.4% a decade ago. The average annual budget for book acquisition per library remains a meager 80 million won, leading to a decline in the total number of books held by public libraries.
the number of books purchased per public library has decreased by 20.7% from 2015 to 2024.
There is a growing consensus among stakeholders, including publishers, booksellers, and librarians, that the book price system needs careful consideration. While the need for increased library budgets is evident, the role of local bookstores in cultural dissemination cannot be overlooked. The government's recent initiatives to encourage public institutions to purchase books from local bookstores are a step in the right direction, but sustained support and policy adjustments are crucial to ensure a vibrant and diverse literary ecosystem for all Koreans.
libraries can now only afford to purchase 7.3% of all published works, compared to 12.4% a decade ago.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
