Mayor Lee Sangil: “Readers and Vibrant Commercial Districts... Will Brighten Yongin’s Future”

Yongin Book Festival Features Outdoor Reading, Author Talks and Book Giveaway
Everland Village Alley Festival Aims to Revitalize Local Businesses with Performances and Activities
Mayor Lee Sangil: “We’ll Help It Grow into a Commercial District That Attracts Tourists, Too”

Yongin Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Sangil), held two festivals on Oct. 9, one at the city hall plaza and the other in Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, to promote reading culture and revitalize neighborhood businesses. Mayor Lee Sangil attended both events and said the city would continue expanding its libraries to meet residents' demand for books and providing support to bring vitality to local commercial districts.

Citizens browse a booth sharing withdrawn books at Sky Plaza at Yongin City Hall on the 9th. Photo courtesy of Yongin City.

Mayor Lee Sang-il delivers remarks at the 8th Yongin Book Festival, held on the 9th at Sky Plaza at Yongin City Hall. Photo courtesy of Yongin City.

The 8th Yongin Book Festival, held at the city hall plaza, was organized under the theme “A Reading Party to Fill the Blank Spaces in Everyday Life.” The program included an outdoor library, author talks, performances, activity booths and a giveaway of deaccessioned books, offering activities for families to enjoy together.

“One of the things Yongin residents can be proud of is that our reading rate is among the highest in South Korea,” Mayor Lee Sangil said. “The average reading rate among residents is about 54%, well above the national average of 43%.”

He added, “The city is continuing to invest in response to residents' love of books. There are currently 21 public libraries, and the number will rise to 24 by the end of this year, with libraries opening in Namdong and Wonsam-myeon following the one in Sinbong-dong.”

He also said, “I believe that as children and teenagers love books, they will grow into outstanding talents who will shape the future of South Korea and Yongin.”

The outdoor library, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day, offered the city's selections for this year's books, titles recommended by residents, and books carefully chosen by librarians. To give residents a comfortable place to read, the city set up 40 tents and beanbag chairs, and lent out picnic baskets containing picnic mats, blankets and small tables.

Jeong Irip, author of “I Am a Chicken” and “The Age of Confessions,” gave a talk titled “We All Live in a Home Called Earth.” “I'm Busker” performances by artists affiliated with the Yongin Cultural Foundation and magic shows were also held.

At around 20 booths involving the city library, local bookstores, small libraries and local high schools, visitors took part in activities such as making bookmarks and key chains and decorating worry dolls. Residents also visited a booth giving away up to five deaccessioned books per person. The library had finished using the books for reasons including the publication of revised editions.

Mayor Lee Sangil and attendees pose for a commemorative photo at the Everland Village Alley Festival, held on Jeondaero 78beon-gil in Pogok-eup on the 9th. Provided by Yongin City.

Mayor Lee Sangil delivers remarks at the "Everland Village Alley Festival," held on the 9th in the area around 78beon-gil, Jeon-daero, Pogok-eup. Provided by Yongin City.

Yongin City Holds Everland Village Alley Festival

The Everland Village Alley Festival was held that same day in the area around Jeondae-ro 78beon-gil in Pogok-eup. It was part of a commercial district revitalization support program that supports cultural and hands-on events tailored to the character of neighborhood commercial areas, helping invigorate the local economy.

In January 2025, Yongin City designated the area around Jeondae-ri, home to 214 shops, as its seventh alley-type shopping district.

“Congratulations on holding a festival that will help advance the Everland Village Alley-Type Shopping District and shape the future of Pogok-eup together,” Mayor Lee Sangil said. “The city is actively providing support to help the commercial district thrive.”

He added, “With residents' support, Everland Village can grow into a commercial district beloved not only by residents but also by tourists visiting Everland. I will work hard to provide support together with city officials.”

The festival featured a residents' singing contest, performances on acoustic guitar and saxophone, percussion performances, and shows by guest singers and DJs. A flea market, food trucks and a photo zone were also set up.

Yongin City designated six alley-type shopping districts in 2024, 15 in 2025 and 14 in 2026, for a total of 35. This year, it has held festivals in six commercial districts, beginning with the Boka Summer Beer Festival in August and continuing with this event.

On Oct. 17, the Dunjeon Rainbow Road Festival and the Guseong-Eonnam Alley Music and Busking Festival will be held, followed by the 2nd Namsa Hansup Win-Win Festival on Oct. 24. Next month, a musical and popera concert will be held in Meonae Village on Nov. 7, followed by the 2nd Bojeong Center Cultural Festival, “Mission! Neighborhood Explorers,” on Nov. 21.

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