The 2026 Seoul International Book Fair, Korea's largest book festival featuring more than 530 domestic and international publishers, will be held at COEX in Seoul's Gangnam district from June 24 to 28.
According to the Korean Publishers Association on Tuesday, this year's theme is "Human Declaration: Homo Duduri." "Duduri" is a mythical being that appears in old Korean literature and is also an old word for blacksmith. The theme reflects an intent to pose questions that gradually broaden human thought in an era when artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly delivers answers and efficiency.
France will serve as this year's guest of honor. Twelve French authors are scheduled to participate, including novelist Bernard Werber, who enjoys a strong following in Korea, internationally acclaimed children's literature writer Marie-Aude Murail, and picture book author and illustrator Anne Laval.
A total of more than 530 domestic and international publishers and publishing-related organizations from 18 countries will take part in the fair. About 180 publishers and organizations from 17 overseas countries, including France, Germany, Canada, Taiwan, and the United States, will operate booths in the international hall.
The domestic hall will host a variety of publishers and publishing-related organizations running book markets, exhibitions, lectures, and signing events. At "Book Village," a section dedicated to art book and independent publishers, visitors can meet about 110 independent publishers in one place. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will also participate with a special exhibition, "Kim Gu Special Exhibition," to mark "2026, the UNESCO Anniversary Year of the 150th Birth of Kim Gu."
Lectures on diverse topics will also be held. The "Theme Lectures," which reflect on the present and future of humans and AI, will feature novelists Eun Hee-kyung, Kim Ae-ran, Baek Su-rin, Jeong Bo-ra, Lee Joo-hye, and Park Sun-woo, as well as poets Oh Eun, Hwang In-chan, Ahn Mi-ok, and Shin I-in. The "Theme Seminar," which seeks to redeclare and redefine humans living in the AI era, will feature discussions with brain scientist Jang Dong-sun, musician Sunwoo Jung-a, actor Kim Shin-rok, novelist Jang Ryu-jin, "The Man Who Lives With the King" music director Dalparan, and musician Sung Ki-wan.
For the "Overseas Author Lectures," Park Ji-sun, author of "Luminous" and winner of the LA Times Book Prize in the Science Fiction, Fantasy & Speculative category, will hold a dialogue with Korean SF writer Kim Cho-yeop. R. O. Kwon, author of "The Incendiaries" and one of the New York Times' "Four Writers to Watch," will hold a dialogue with Korean writer Pyun Hye-young. Both Korean American novelists are releasing new works to coincide with the fair and will meet Korean readers.
The "Meet the Author" sessions will feature experts from various fields, including Choi Jae-chun, head of the Biodiversity Foundation; creator Im Ra-ra; Buddhist monk Jeong Kwan; actor Shin So-yul; picture book author Lee Su-zy; "Laundry" musical scriptwriter Choo Min-joo; photographer Lee Ok-to; and novelist Hwang Bo-reum. In addition, through the "SIBF Book" program, novelists Chung Se-rang and Park Sang-young, poets Ko Sun-kyung, Kim Bok-hee, Ahn Hee-yeon, and Yoo Sun-hye, and temple food master monk Seon-jae will present their new works and meet readers.
Tickets for the 2026 Seoul International Book Fair will be offered as early bird tickets, regular tickets, and same-day tickets, with sales beginning sequentially on June 8.
