Uiwang mayor vows to promote creative and reading culture

Uiwang city announced Tuesday that its 2026 "Meet Uiwang's Authors" program, running since last month to promote the local reading ecosystem and strengthen residents' appreciation of the humanities, has drawn an enthusiastic public response.

The program is designed to bring residents together with accomplished local authors for discussions on writing, literature, history and travel. Notably, it extends beyond the city's central library to partner with four independent bookstores — Sagaksagak Bookstore in Ojeon-dong, Dagam Bookstore in Samdong, Sseumtim in Ojeon-dong and Bookstore Saewaumu in Cheongye-dong — adding significance to the revitalization of local cultural hubs.

To ensure the project's substance and build a foundation for the local reading ecosystem, the city signed an MOU with the Gunpo-Uiwang Office of Education on April 13 to promote student reading education through partnerships with local authors. On July 13, it held a forum bringing together libraries, local authors and independent bookstores to gather diverse on-the-ground opinions and discuss ways to foster mutual growth.

Building on that collaboration and preparation, the program launched with author Lee Jin-hee's special lecture on transcription and sentence power at Sagaksagak Bookstore on Aug. 21, followed by author Choe Jun-bae's talk "How Should We Write?" at the central library on Aug. 27.

September's lineup proceeds in order: author Jeong Ran-hee's session "'Sakhalin Arirang' — Songs of the Lost" at the central library on Thursday; author Kim U-nam's "Finding My Bucket List Through Literary Works" at Dagam Bookstore on Sept. 10; author Bang Hyeon-hee's special lecture "Completing a Novel in Two Pages — Writing Flash Fiction" at Sseumtim on Sept. 14; and author Jo Seong-jin's "How Does My Travel Become Writing?" at Bookstore Saewaumu on Sept. 17.

"I hope this program helps residents bring books closer into their daily lives, and that the reading culture ecosystem — where local authors, independent bookstores and libraries grow together — becomes even stronger," Uiwang Mayor Kim Seong-je said. "Going forward, we will continue to connect diverse local resources, build a community network of mutual support, and drive the revitalization of creative and reading culture."

For details on how to participate, residents may contact Uiwang's central library.