Hansol Paper to provide free paper to 200 small publishers and printers

Hansol Paper will provide free paper worth up to 600 million won ($403,000) to 200 small and midsize publishing and printing companies struggling with weak domestic demand and rising production costs.

The company announced Thursday it would launch a partnership program for solo and independent publishers as well as small and midsize printers.

Each selected company will receive paper valued at up to 3 million won. If all 200 recipients use the full allotment, total support will reach 600 million won.

Eligible applicants include small and midsize publishers and printers producing novels, essays, workbooks, commercial brochures and other printed materials. There are no restrictions on genre or category.

Hansol Paper will select 200 companies from among all applicants through a computerized random draw. The company said it will record the draw on video and keep required documentation and post-selection administrative procedures to a minimum.

The program was designed in response to deteriorating profitability across the publishing market and the growing production-cost burden on smaller companies. According to the Korea Publishers Association's 2025 publishing market statistics, combined sales at 72 surveyed publishing companies fell 1.3 percent last year to about 4.85 trillion won, while operating profit dropped 13.4 percent to about 137 billion won.

Particularly hard hit were 22 major trade publishers, whose combined sales fell 6.9 percent to about 431 billion won. Solo and independent publishers and small printers, which have less financial cushion than larger companies, are more likely to delay new titles or cut print runs as paper and printing costs rise.

Hansol Paper said prolonged conflict in the Middle East and slowing domestic demand are adding to the operational burden on publishing and printing companies. Applications are open on the Hansol Paper website and have been accepted since Wednesday.

"The publishing and printing industry is an important partner that has grown alongside the paper industry," a Hansol Paper official said. "We will continue cooperative initiatives so that publishing, printing and paper can grow together — not as a one-time gesture, but as an ongoing commitment."