Government honors 29 publishing figures at ceremony marking the 40th Book Day
![Kim Jin-hwan, CEO of Hakjisa. [Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/12/news-p.v1.20261012.a8c5fbca391c4aee81c35619bf41488e_P1.jpg)
Kim Jin-hwan, CEO of Hakjisa, will receive the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit for his contributions to the development of publishing culture.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Monday that it will present government commendations to 29 people who have contributed to the advancement of publishing culture, in celebration of the 40th Book Day.
This year's honorees include one recipient of the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit, two recipients of presidential commendations, two recipients of prime ministerial commendations and 24 recipients of ministerial commendations from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, for a total of 29 people.
Kim, who receives this year's Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit, founded Hakjisa in 1992 and has since published more than 7,000 titles in the humanities and social sciences. He also established the medical publishing brand Hakjisa Medical along with Hakjisa Edu and Wisebox, and founded and operated various publishing and education-related organizations. As chairman of the Korean Academic Publishers Association, he played an active role in addressing key issues in academic publishing — including rationalizing the copyright royalty distribution structure, combating illegal reproduction and promoting digital publishing — and contributed to building a healthy publishing ecosystem.
Joo Yeon-sun, CEO of Eunhaengnamu Publishing, receives a presidential commendation. Since founding the company in 1997, she has published more than 1,200 titles in literature, humanities and the arts, championing the discovery of rookie writers and the development of genre fiction. She has also contributed to launching the literary magazine "Axt," introducing world literature to Korean readers, promoting exports of Korean literature overseas and nurturing publishing talent.
Kim Ki-tae, a professor at Semyung University, is recognized for his research in publishing studies and copyright. Since joining the faculty as a publishing studies professor in 2001, he has trained publishing professionals through courses on copyright and research ethics, and has served as chairman and officer of publishing-related academic societies, contributing to the advancement of publishing research through industry-academia collaboration.
Kim Jong-su, CEO of Hanul mPlus, receives a prime ministerial commendation. After founding his publishing house in 1980, he has published more than 4,000 social science titles. Through his leadership of publishing organizations, he has contributed to laying the groundwork for the sustained growth of the publishing industry — advancing publishing policy research, modernizing retail distribution, developing specialized talent, driving innovation and structural reform, and promoting a reading culture.
Lee Ji-yeon, CEO of Easyspub, entered the publishing industry in 1994 and founded Easyspub in 2010. She has published numerous practical titles in IT and education, contributing to the digitalization of the publishing industry, the advancement of distribution and global expansion through digital innovation and the strengthening of information literacy.
Twenty-four people will receive ministerial commendations from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in recognition of their contributions to the publishing industry through quality publishing, distribution and market development. They are: Kang Baek-san, deputy manager of the marketing team at Totobook; Kang Hee-ryung, CEO of Gimundang; Kim Mi-jeong, chairman of the Korean Book Curator Association; Kim Min-ji, CEO of Mirae M&B; Kim Bok-sun, CEO of Gidari; Kim Seon-sik, CEO of Dasan Books; Kim Yeong-hoe, cultural content planner; Kim Jeong-yeon, CEO of Next Culture Lab; Kim Ju-won, CEO of Gungpyeonchek; Nam Sang-ho, CEO of Yesin Books; Moon Gyu-sik, CEO of Jangwon Education; Seok Jong-du, delivery department manager at Korea Publication Logistics; Son Dong-min, CEO of Jeonpa Science; Shin Jeong-min, CEO of Gyoyudang; Yun Dong-gu, CEO of Changminsa; Lee Seung-hwan, professor at Hallym University's Media School; Lee Eun-jeong, CEO of Amond; Lee Jae-hong, CEO of MS Books; Lee Han-na, CEO of The Contents Factory; Lee Hyeon-ju, assistant manager at Hanyang University Press; Lee Hee-tae, manager at Wisdom House; In Yeong-a, editorial director at Tteuidol Publishing; Jo Seong-ho, managing director at Bakyoungsa; and Jo Il-hyeon, head of the textbook research institute at Visang Education.
Vice Minister of Culture Kim Yeong-su is scheduled to attend the Book Day ceremony, organized by the Korean Publishers Association and held Monday at the Korea Press Center, where he will present the government commendations and offer words of encouragement to the honorees and publishing industry figures in attendance.
"Books are a precious asset that passes on the knowledge, ideas and experiences of our society to the next generation, and they are the source of K-content," the vice minister said. "The government will communicate closely with the publishing industry and actively support the discovery and utilization of publishing intellectual property, overseas expansion and the spread of a reading culture, so that more quality publishing content can be created and extended into diverse fields."
pink@heraldcorp.com
