Seoul International Book Fair Opens with Focus on Humanity in AI Age

The 68th Seoul International Book Fair opened on Wednesday, June 24, at the COEX exhibition center in southern Seoul, with an expected 150,000 visitors. The event, themed 'Homo Duduri,' explores what it means to be human in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Some 538 publishers and industry organizations from 18 nations are participating, along with 326 authors and speakers. Advance tickets for the five-day event have sold out.

The theme, 'Homo Duduri,' references an ancient Korean blacksmith archetype, symbolizing the human spark amidst AI advancements. In a theme statement co-authored with AI models Claude and Gemini, Korean novelist Kim Yeon-su reflected on the contrast between AI's probabilistic answers and human curiosity, stating that books embody the great questions that keep human possibility alive.

Renowned participating writers include novelists Baik Sou Linne, Chung Bora, Eun Hee-kyung, and Kim Ae-ran, and poets Ahn Mi-ok and Oh Eun. Lecturers also include singer-songwriter Sunwoo Jung-a, actress Kim Shin-rok, and Ven. Sunjae, discussing topics from music to temple cuisine.

To commemorate the 140th anniversary of South Korea-France diplomatic ties, France is the guest country of honor. French participants include novelist Bernard Werber, children's authors Marie-Aude Murail and Anne Laval, and philosopher Pascal Bruckner, with over 12,000 French books on display.

International writers such as sci-fi novelist Silvia Park, Hong Kong's Chan Wai, and Taiwanese novelist Kevin Chen will also participate in lectures. Seminars are scheduled on the publishing industry's AI challenges and global publishing landscapes.

The event highlights the 'text-hip' trend, where reading has become stylish among younger generations, reflecting a broader interest in literature and its intersection with technology.