Pyeongsan Bookstore Marks 1,200 Days: 630,000 Visitors, 523 Daily on Average

Officially Opened on April 26, 2023
Profits Used for Public-Interest Projects

'Pyeongsan Bookstore,' which was opened by former President Moon Jae-in after leaving office, celebrated its 1,200th day of operation on August 8, 2026. During this period, the cumulative number of visitors reached 630,000.

Former President Moon Jae-in wore an apron and smiled brightly at his bookstore 'Pyeongsan Bookstore' in Habuk-myeon, Yangsan City, Gyeongnam Province on the afternoon of April 26, 2023. Photo by Yonhap News

On August 9, Pyeongsan Bookstore announced in a press release, "Former President Moon, who is known as an avid book lover, has been volunteering as the shopkeeper at the bookstore in Pyeongsan Village, Jisan-ri, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam Province since his retirement."

Pyeongsan Bookstore said, "Except for a few days for family vacations or events in Seoul, he has come to the small 99-square-meter bookstore almost daily, engaging with visitors and connecting through books. He has also worked to promote a community-based reading culture by visiting special schools, facilities and institutions for underprivileged children and youth nationwide, child protection agencies, and students in remote villages and mountainous regions who rarely have the chance to visit a bookstore. There, he set up pop-up bookstores so that students could choose books for themselves."

The total cumulative number of visitors to Pyeongsan Bookstore reached 628,769, averaging 523 people per day. The bookstore has used its profits for public-interest projects and has donated 4,466 books to 2,122 people. It has also provided reading journals and eco-bags as gifts.

Furthermore, Pyeongsan Bookstore has operated a program based on the belief that the revitalization of small libraries and independent bookstores nationwide is essential for a grassroots reading culture. It has donated 3,950 books to 79 small libraries in Yangsan-si and 1,280 books to 40 small libraries across the country.

Additionally, it provided support for speaking fees so that 100 neighborhood bookstores nationwide could invite authors they wished to host, and has run a special "Introducing Neighborhood Bookstores" section in the shop, featuring over 50 bookstores.

For youth-related organizations visiting Pyeongsan Bookstore, former President Moon provides a memorable experience by presenting books and personally taking photographs with the visitors. To date, he has donated a total of 727 books to 727 individuals over the course of 45 events.

In addition to running Pyeongsan Bookstore, former President Moon has recommended books he has read through social media. The bookstore stated that he has publicly recommended 124 books so far.

Pyeongsan Bookstore affirmed, "Through books, we will continue to illuminate the darkness of the world and foster growth as democratic citizens."

Pyeongsan Bookstore officially opened on April 26, 2023.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.