Libraries in Republic of Korea
Korea’s library system is largely decentralised. In each of the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces, the designated representative library assumes a central role in the formulation of library policies and acts as a control tower in overseeing and coordinating collaborative efforts among libraries. Under their guidance, central libraries, branch libraries, and small libraries within the 228 local governments operate in a cooperative framework.
There is also a centralised system. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is responsible for implementing the national library policies, while the institution responsible for establishing and reviewing the National Library Comprehensive Development Plan is the Presidential Office Committee on Library and Information Policy. The committee consists of 30 members in total and the heads of central administrative agencies involved in the establishment and operation of libraries participate as ex officio members.
Library types are defined by the “Library Act” and are divided into public libraries (small, child, disabled, hospital, prison library, hospital library, etc.), university library, school library and specialised library.
The funding for libraries is typically provided by the institution that establishes them. However, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism may also provide support for some public library construction costs and certain operation activities. In case of large university libraries, donations —money and items received for the development of libraries from businesses, organizations, and individuals — are usually minimal, although some external funding may be received for construction costs.
A comprehensive library development plan is established and reviewed by the Presidential Office Committee on Library and Information Policy. The current plan under implementation by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is the 4th Comprehensive Plan for Library Development (2024-2028).
Since 2009, the Korean library system has been greatly developed through the ‘Comprehensive Plan for Library Development’. The number of public and school libraries have increased significantly through library building support. In addition, this has led to the expansion of professional staff including librarians. The Presidential Office Committee on Library and Information Policy establishes and announces the Comprehensive Plan for Library Development every five years. In alignment with the national plan, central government agencies and local units develop detailed implementation plans annually and carry out projects based on the comprehensive plan.
To improve library access, we established a national interlibrary loan system, launched the National Digital Library in 2009, and founded the National Library for the Disabled in 2012 to support underrepresented groups in accessing knowledge.
All 17 local governments have established representative libraries and built regional partnerships. We have implemented a joint use system for the library big data sharing platform and the open access-based national knowledge information resource. Additionally, we have expanded the archiving and distribution of information resources to provide copyright information for domestic journals. All the above-mentioned actions are being carried out in stages according to the ‘Comprehensive Plan for Library Development.’
The Korea Libraries Association (KLA) has been working to strengthen the library ecosystem and to expand the social role of libraries and librarians, alongside the government activities in development of library relations and advocacy for librarianship. KLIS participates in the establishment and revision of related laws and regulations such as the Library Law, develops and maintains various library standards. It also develops and maintains Korea Decimal Classification (KDC) and Korea List Regulation (KCR), publishes books in the field of library and library information, yearbooks, publications, and libraries.
Library data
Contextual data
Population
Population Growth
Proportion of Population Younger than 15
Proportion of Population Older than 64
Population Density
people per sq km
Population Growth
Access to Electricity
Internet Users
Female Internet Users
Male Internet Users
GDP per capita
Poverty Rate
2011 PPP
Inequality
2011 PPP
Unemployment
Inactive Youth
2011 PPP
Education Spending
% of GDP
Adult Literacy Rate
% of people age 15+
Female Adult Literacy
% of GDP
Male Adult Literacy
% of people age 15+
Female Youth Literacy
% of GDP
Male Youth Literacy
% of people age 15+
Research Spending
% of GDP
Researchers
% of GDP
Research Spending
% of GDP
Library data
|
Library type |
Total |
National |
Academic |
Public |
Community |
School |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Libraries (Service Points)
14,806
Library service point is a fixed or mobile facility through which library provides a service to its users. Central libraries, branch libraries, mobile libraries, and external service points located in different geographical locations and managed by one administrative unit are all each individual service points. Number of libraries is the total number of central/main libraries, branch libraries, external service points and mobile libraries. |
14,806 2024 |
12 2023 |
456 2024 |
2,496 2024 |
— |
11,842 2024 |
— |
|
Main Libraries
13,134
Central/main library is usually part or those parts of an administrative unit where the main administrative functions and the important parts of the library collection and services are located. An administrative unit comprising several branch libraries does not necessarily include a central library. |
13,134 2024 |
4 2023 |
456 2024 |
832 2024 |
— |
11,842 2024 |
— |
|
Branch Libraries
467
Branch library is a part of a larger administrative unit providing, in separate quarters, a service for a particular user group (e.g. children, faculties) or for a locally defined clientele. Institute, departmental and other affiliated libraries are included. Mobile libraries and external service points are excluded. |
467 2024 |
3 2023 |
0 2024 |
464 2024 |
— |
0 2024 |
— |
|
External Service Points
0
External service point is a point away from library premises at which a certain service is regularly offered to users. This includes places within a locality at which library material is deposited for informal circulation to a restricted group of users but without other library services, for example, old people’s homes, community centres, collections for hospital patients. Mobile libraries and their stops are not counted as external service points. |
0 2024 |
0 2023 |
0 2024 |
0 2024 |
— |
0 2024 |
— |
|
Mobile Libraries
1,665
Mobile library is a library, sometimes a division of a public library, using transport means to provide documents and services directly to users as an alternative to access on library premises. |
1,665 2024 |
5 2023 |
460 2018 |
1,200 2024 |
— |
0 2024 |
— |
|
Libraries (Administrative Units)
13,601
Administrative unit is any independent library, or group of libraries, under a single directorate or a single administration. The term “independent” does not imply legal or financial independence but only that the library is a recognisably separate unit, typically within a larger organisation. The administrative unit can be a single library or a larger organisation, typically containing a central/main library, branch libraries and administrative functions. |
13,601 2024 |
7 2023 |
456 2024 |
1,296 2024 |
— |
11,842 2024 |
— |
|
Libraries with Internet Access
13,409
Libraries (Service Points) that provides internet access from at least one workstation available to the public regardless of whether access is free, and/or provides a wireless network allowing users to connect to the Internet. |
13,409 2024 |
7 2023 |
460 2018 |
1,287 2024 |
— |
11,655 2018 |
— |
|
Full-Time Staff
21,376
Full-time equivalent (FTE) staff are all library employees who work for the library in return for payment. It includes professional staff, qualified staff, project staff and assistants. Other staff (library employees who work in security and on domestic duties, for example, cleaners, porters, caretakers and catering staff) and volunteers are excluded. |
21,376 2024 |
760 2023 |
1,866 2024 |
10,845 2024 |
— |
7,905 2024 |
— |
|
Volunteers
228,082
Volunteer is a person working on library tasks without payment. In counting volunteers, the concept of headcount is used. |
228,082 2024 |
2,353 2023 |
— |
225,729 2024 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Registered Users
72 M
Registered user is a person or organisation registered with a library in order to use its collection and/or services within or away from the library. Users may be registered upon their request or automatically when enrolling in the institutions. |
71,993,829 2024 |
1,189,330 2023 |
908,936 2024 |
15,598,495 2024 |
— |
54,297,068 2024 |
— |
|
Physical Visits
384 M
Physical visit is a person (individual) entering the library premises. |
383,952,188 2024 |
1,629,223 2023 |
93,832,083 2024 |
224,207,926 2024 |
— |
64,282,956 2018 |
— |
|
Physical Loans
244.7 M
Physical loan is a direct lending or delivery transaction of an item in physical form. Physical loans include loans of items in non-electronic form (e.g. books) and loans electronic documents on a physical carrier (e.g. CD-ROM). |
244,735,715 2024 |
2,323,654 2023 |
7,447,468 2024 |
146,742,153 2024 |
— |
88,222,440 2024 |
— |
|
eBook Loans
45 M
eBook is a non-serial digital document, licenced or not, where searchable text is prevalent, and similar to a print book (monograph). eBooks can be lent to users either on portable devices (eBook readers) or by transmitting the contents to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period. |
45,014,225 2024 |
18,746,967 2023 |
4,187,213 2024 |
22,080,045 2024 |
— |
— |
— |
|
Audio Book Loans
—
Audio book (or talking book) is a sound recording of readings of a book, magazine, or newspaper, usually designed for use by visually impaired people. Audio books can be lent to users either on a physical carrier or other device, or by transmitting the content to the user’s PC or other device for a limited time period. |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Downloads
197.8 M
Download is a content unit that is successfully requested from a library-provided online service or other internet service (e.g. database, electronic serial or digital document). |
197,803,886 2024 |
775,656 2023 |
197,028,230 2024 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Contextual data
|
Population |
Republic of Korea |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Population Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates. |
51,751,065 2024 |
2,388,319,494 2024 |
8,141,808,945 2024 |
|
Proportion of Population Younger than 15 Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population. |
15.1% 2024 |
26.4% 2024 |
38.0% 2024 |
|
Proportion of Population Older than 64 Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population. |
27.5% 2024 |
20.0% 2024 |
15.7% 2024 |
|
Population Growth Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. |
0.1% 2024 |
0 2024 |
1.0% 2024 |
|
Population Density Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes. |
529.8% 2023 |
97.3% 2022 |
61.6% 2022 |
|
Urban Population Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division. |
81.2% 2024 |
64.4% 2024 |
57.6% 2024 |
|
Information Infrastructure |
Republic of Korea |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet Users Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. |
97.9% 2024 |
86.6% 2024 |
71.2% 2024 |
|
Female Internet Users This indicator refers to female individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. |
96.7% 2023 |
85.5% 2024 |
68.2% 2024 |
|
Male Internet Users This indicator refers to male individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. |
- |
85.5% |
- |
|
Access to Electricity Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources. |
100.0% 2023 |
98.4% 2023 |
91.6% 2023 |
|
Economy, Poverty, and Employment |
Republic of Korea |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GDP per Capita This indicator provides values for gross domestic product (GDP) expressed in current international dollars, converted by purchasing power parities (PPPs). PPPs account for the different price levels across countries and thus PPP-based comparisons of economic output are more appropriate for comparing the output of economies and the average material well-being of their inhabitants than exchange-rate based comparisons. Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. This series has been linked to produce a consistent time series to counteract breaks in series over time due to changes in base years, source data and methodologies. Thus, it may not be comparable with other national accounts series in the database for historical years. The core indicator has been divided by the general population to achieve a per capita estimate. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. The PPP conversion factor is a currency conversion factor and a spatial price deflator. PPPs convert different currencies to a common currency and, in the process of conversion, equalize their purchasing power by eliminating the differences in price levels between countries, thereby allowing volume or output comparisons of GDP and its expenditure components. |
58,895 2024 |
27,212.2 2024 |
24,405 2024 |
|
Poverty Rate Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.00 a day at 2021 purchasing power adjusted prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions. |
0.2% 2021 |
2.0% 2024 |
10.3% 2024 |
|
Inequality Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality. |
32.9% 2021 |
0.0% |
- |
|
Unemployment Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country. |
2.8% 2024 |
4.4% 2021 |
6.2% 2021 |
|
Inactive Youth The share of youth not in education, employment or training (also known as “the NEET rate”) conveys the number of young persons not in education, employment or training as a percentage of the total youth population. Youth not in education are those who were neither enrolled in school nor in a formal training program (e.g. vocational training). For the purposes of this indicator, youth is defined as all persons between the ages of 15 and 24 (inclusive). percentage of youth population |
- |
15.4% 2000 |
- |
|
Education and Literacy |
Republic of Korea |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Education Spending General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of GDP. It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments. percentage of GDP |
5.8% 2022 |
3.5% 2023 |
3.5% 2023 |
|
Adult Literacy Rate Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of people ages 15 and above |
98.0% 2008 |
3.5% 2023 |
87.7% 2024 |
|
Female Adult Literacy Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of females ages 15 and above |
97.6% 2008 |
95.3% 2024 |
84.6% 2024 |
|
Male Adult Literacy Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of males ages 15 and above |
97.6% 2008 |
97.9% 2024 |
90.9% 2024 |
|
Female Youth Literacy Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of females ages 15-24 |
100.0% 2008 |
99.2% 2024 |
92.0% 2024 |
|
Male Youth Literacy Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life. percentage of males ages 15-24 |
99.9% 2008 |
99.0% 2024 |
94.1% 2024 |
|
Research and Innovation |
Republic of Korea |
Region |
World |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Research Spending Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development. percentage of GDP |
5.2% 2022 |
2.8% 2022 |
2.7% 2022 |
|
Researchers The number of researchers engaged in Research &Development (R&D), expressed as per million. Researchers are professionals who conduct research and improve or develop concepts, theories, models techniques instrumentation, software of operational methods. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development. per million people |
9,435 2022 |
2,304.4 2022 |
1,516 2018 |
|
Scientific Articles Article counts refer to publications from a selection of conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals from Scopus in science and engineering fields, according to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics Taxonomy of Disciplines. fractional count |
76,936 2022 |
1,294,313.1 2022 |
3,338,192 2022 |
National Library Associations
Korean Library Association, founded in 1945, is the national federation of Korean libraries. The mission of KLA is to develop library functions and facilities, promote the interactive exchange of materials, conduct research for libraries, advance interactive cooperation with relevant international associations, and improve the qualifications of library staff. KLA publishes materials related to library standardisation and publications in the library and information science area, including monthly Library Culture, yearly Korean Library Yearbook, Korean Decimal Classification, Korean Cataloguing Rules, Korean Library Standard, Library Manual, and Library Dictionary. KLA promotes projects such as the KLA Award and seeks to support advocacy for libraries and the profession.
National Library
The National Library of Korea, opened in 1945, collects, preserves, and systematically organises and publishes publications and various kinds of knowledge in Korea. In addition, the Library is building rich collections from paper media to online materials, and is continuing to cooperate with domestic and foreign libraries.
Policy Making Institutions
In accordance with Article 12 of the Library Act, the Presidential Office Committee on Library and Information Policy is responsible for establishing a comprehensive library development plan, improving library-related systems, establishing national and local library operating systems, and supporting the establishment of libraries. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with other relevant ministries, is responsible for implementing library policies. Through the committee, various activities such as discussing library policy issues, gathering opinions, making policy proposals, and conducting site visits are carried out.
Library Support Organisations
From nursery to primary, secondary, and higher schools, as well as universities, various informatization projects are being implemented in the fields of education and academic research.
Working together with libraries for sustainable development based on core technologies such as AI, big data, and quantum computing, which will lead the future.
National Policy for Libraries
The purpose of this plan was to provide a clear direction for promoting both basic and advanced libraries through the establishment of a systematic national library development strategy. By addressing the limitations of current library policies, which have been implemented by various departments, it offered a vision and strategy for balanced library development based on collaboration and coordination. The plan proposed a mid- to long-term approach that would help libraries adapt to and thrive in the face of rapid social changes.
Library Law
The purpose of the Library Act is to contribute to the cultural development of the nation and society, such as the efficient furnishing and circulation of materials to the whole society, narrowing of the gap in the access to and utilization of information, promotion of lifelong education, etc. by fostering libraries and by revitalizing their services through prescribing matters necessary for social responsibilities and role performance of libraries that guarantee people’s right of access to information and people’s right to know.
The Act applies to the National Library of Korea, regional representative libraries, public libraries, university libraries, school libraries, special libraries, as well as to information offices, information centres, data bureaus, data centres, cultural centres or facilities with a similar name and function.
The purpose of this Act is to provide for the organisation, duties and other necessary matters of the National Assembly Library.
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to promoting competitiveness in education and research of universities through the promotion of university libraries by prescribing matters concerning the establishment and operation of and support to university libraries.
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the substance of public education and the development of local lifelong education through the promotion of school libraries by prescribing all matters concerning the establishment/operation/support of school libraries, which are basic facilities for school education.
The purpose of this Act is to enhance public access to knowledge information and contribute to the advancement of neighbourhood-friendly culture of libraries by providing for matters necessary to promote small libraries.
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to strengthening national competitiveness, guaranteeing citizens equal opportunities to engage in reading culture activities, and improving the quality of their life by providing for fundamental matters regarding the promotion of reading culture so as to improve citizens’ intellectual powers and emotional health and prepare the groundwork for lifelong learning.
Legal Deposit Law
Article 21 of Korea’s Library Law provides for legal deposit of physical materials, and those online materials which have an ISBN or ISSN, within 30 days of publication. The same goes when a revised or enlarged edition of a work is published. Concerning online works, the National Library can request copies, but needs to provide compensation in this case when these are commercial. If there are technological protections preventing the library from using these works, the library can request that the be removed. Further details are set out in presidential decrees. The copyright law allows the national library to make copies of works it receives via legal deposit.
Copyright Law & Library Exceptions and Limitations
Under Article 31 of the Copyright Act, libraries and designated facilities may reproduce works for specific purposes, such as research, self-preservation, and sharing out-of-print materials with other libraries. However, digital reproduction is prohibited in certain cases, such as for commercially available works within five years of publication. Libraries can reproduce works for user access within their own facilities, ensuring that the number of users does not exceed the number of copies held or authorized. If digital reproductions are made, libraries must compensate copyright holders according to the standards set by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Libraries must also implement necessary measures to prevent copyright infringement. The National Library of Korea is authorised to collect and reproduce online materials for preservation.
Professional Qualification Requirements
In Korea, to be authorised to work in a library, one must obtain a librarian certificate. They are accessible to graduates who majored in Library and Information Science at a university and who have graduated or have recognized equivalent academic background in the Act, and who majored in Library and Information Science (See Libraries Act, Article 43 of Chapter 6 of PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES OF LIBRARIES). Currently, four-year universities, two-year colleges, and designated educational institutions are providing related education.
The librarian certificates are issued by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to a person who meets certain qualification requirements as prescribed by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Types of librarian qualifications include Certified Librarian (1st Grade), Certified Librarian (2nd Grade), Associate Librarian, according to the library law.
Education
The Library and Information Science major in Korea is offered by both universities and colleges.
The Library and Information Science major in Korea is offered by both universities and colleges. It also includes master’s and doctoral programs. There is an educational institution designated by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Universities / colleges with Library and Information Science: 37, Educational Institutions designated by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism: 3 schools.
Professional Publications
The magazine is published by the Korean Library Association on a monthly basis.
KLA has been publishing the Korean Library Yearbook since 2004. It compiles the annual status and statistics of libraries in Korea, as well as major activities in the library sector.
Professional Events
The event takes place during one week in April, from 4/12 to 4/18.
The main activities include a book reading campaign and numerous contests, including reading quiz, library introduction, book reading and a fairy tale drawing contest.
Other events include, exhibitions, lectures, concerts, book donation, and a special circulation library.
The conference is held annually in October. Its participants typically include but are not limited to members of the Korea Library Association, staff of the National Library of Korea, library personnel, presidential library information policy committee, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Education and related government departments.
It also involves relevant personnel of the National Assembly, including local autonomous organizations and education authorities. Other participants are related organisations, librarians and professors and students, library cultural exhibitors, overseas major library associations, academic staff, etc.
Library Location Resources
Contributors