South Korea to mandate government reading education for students

South Korea's Ministry of Education is set to revise the Basic Education Act, mandating that national and local governments must provide reading education. This legislative push aims to address a worrying trend of declining reading rates among students, which has sparked concerns about their overall literacy skills.

The ministry unveiled its 'Plan to Revitalize School Reading Education' on Wednesday, responding to the growing apprehension over students' weakening 문해력 (munhaeryeok), or literacy. Recent data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism indicated that as of 2025, students' engagement with reading material beyond textbooks and study guides has significantly decreased.

This initiative reflects a broader effort to bolster foundational learning skills. By embedding reading education as a core responsibility for governmental bodies, South Korea seeks to ensure that students develop strong reading comprehension and critical thinking abilities, essential for academic success and lifelong learning.