Applications close Friday for libraries, literary halls and bookstores

Two-year support introduced for the first time; monthly stipend raised to 2.55 million won

A library participating in the writers-in-residence program. [Korea Arts Council]
A library participating in the writers-in-residence program. [Korea Arts Council]

The government will significantly expand its writers-in-residence program next year, reaching a record scale.

South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Arts Council (Arko) announced Tuesday that applications for the 2027 Writers-in-Residence Support Project — which places writers at literary facilities such as libraries, literary halls and bookstores to pursue creative work alongside community literary programs — close Friday.

Next year's program will support 175 facilities and 175 resident writers in total, the largest cohort in the program's history and a sharp increase from 102 writers this year. The program will also introduce multi-year support for the first time, extending the grant period from one year to two.

The residency period will be extended from seven months to nine months, running from March through November, and the monthly stipend will rise from 2.4 million won ($1,770) to 2.55 million won. Operating funds per facility will also increase from 5 million won to 7 million won. As a result, the total support per facility will grow from 23.9 million won this year to 32.65 million won next year.

The overhaul also introduces standardized application and interview procedures for hiring resident writers, common evaluation criteria and mandatory pre-interview training for panel members, significantly strengthening the fairness and transparency of the selection process.

Arko Chairman Lee Beom-heon said the restructuring reflects feedback from the field. "This reform is the result of broadening both the scope and depth of support by putting the voices of practitioners first," he said. "We hope literary facilities with strong capacity across the country will work closely with resident writers to plan diverse programs, and we look forward to the active participation of hub facilities that will lead the revitalization of regional literature."

Eligible applicants are libraries, literary halls and bookstores nationwide that can provide writers with a dedicated creative space and have the capacity to run literary programs. Applications are accepted through the National Culture and Arts Support System until Friday.

Writers wishing to participate as resident writers may apply through an online job fair to be held in January.


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