This year’s Seoul International Book Fair was once again a huge success. The event was held in Coex Halls A and B1 from June 18 to 22 and hosted in collaboration with the Korean Publishers Association (KPA) and jointly organized with Coex. The 2025 edition of the SIBF followed the following theme: 믿을 구석, or ‘The Last Resort’, and focused on celebrating stories that remind us of what we can turn to in times of difficulty and uncertainty.
First launched in 1954, the Seoul International Book Fair has been Korea’s biggest book-related exhibit for nearly 70 years. Upgraded into an international exhibit in 1995, the SIBF helps promote international authors and publishers in Korea, and local ones to the rest of the world, facilitating a meaningful exchange of knowledge, history, and culture.
Faithful to its purpose and slogan, the exhibit featured hundreds of booths from different publishers, book signings from a diverse array of authors, and seminars discussing topics such as science or the publishing industry in various countries, as well as Book Talks featuring acclaimed authors, book critics, and artists.
The event also held a special program to highlight its guest of honor, Taiwan, presenting the theme ‘Taiwan Sensibility’. This special pavilion, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, organized by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), and executed by the Taipei Book Fair Foundation, showcased the island’s culture, history, and identity through literature, images, travel, and even food.
Finally, the exhibit was also the designated spot for the award ceremonies for the 2025 Best Book of Korea (BBK), organized by the SIBF and aiming to introduce new Korean books and authors to the public, categorized into the following categories: “Best Book Design in Korea,” “Best Book for Children in Korea,” “Best Book of Pleasure in Korea,” and “Best Book of Wisdom in Korea”. This year, a total of 40 books were put forward due to their originality, visual appeal, and uniqueness. With each award being presented by former President Moon Jae-In, it is needless to say that the event was simply unmissable and filled with emotion.
To inquire about hosting events at Coex, please email intlmarketing@coex.co.kr or call +82-2-6000-1146/1147.
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About Coex
Since opening in 1979, Coex has been Korea’s busiest and most prominent convention and exhibition center. Located in the heart of Seoul’s Gangnam district, Coex serves as the city’s top venue for global exchange, business, exhibitions, and conferences, as well as a space to find leisure, recreation, and top accommodation. Coex, as the leading event organizer, offers event planners a multitude of services both onsite and beyond, including the organizing of trade shows, event management and external venue management and operations.
Visit www.coexcenter.com for more information about Coex Organized Exhibitions
