The 2026 Seoul International Book Fair will be held under the theme 'Homo duduri: The Manifesto of Man'. This year's book fair will take place from June 24 to 28, 2026, at Halls A & B1 of COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It is hosted by the Korean Publishers Association and the Seoul International Book Fair, and organized by the Seoul International Book Fair and COEX.
This year's core question is "Humans in the Age of AI." Through books, exhibitions, lectures, and seminars, the event explores what humans can ask, what they can create, and how they can think in an era where AI rapidly provides answers. The Seoul International Book Fair describes this year's theme as "Homo Duduri." Duduri is a mythical being appearing in ancient Korean literature and is the ancient name for a blacksmith. It symbolizes a being who does not flee from fire but controls it to create something.
This theme does not view AI solely as an object of fear. It asks what questions humans can forge in the face of this powerful tool. The Seoul International Book Fair explains that if AI closes the door to possibility with high-probability answers, humans reopen it with bigger questions. Books are presented as a record of accumulated questions and explorations.
The method of creating the thesis sentence is also noteworthy. This year's thesis sentence was created jointly by novelist Kim Yeon-su and the AI models Claude Sonnet 4.6 and Gemini 3. It was completed based on a conversation with an AI trained on 10 classic literary works from Project Gutenberg that explore human existence.
A large number of domestic and international publishers and organizations are participating in the event. According to Etoday, over 530 publishers and organizations from 18 countries around the world are participating in this book fair. From overseas, approximately 180 publishers and organizations from 17 countries, including France, Germany, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, the United States, Chile, and Thailand, are joining the International Pavilion and Copyright Center programs.
France is the guest country of honor this year. To mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, a French guest pavilion will be operated under the theme "Read France (Lire la France)." Twelve French authors and experts, including Bernard Werber, Mariode Murail, Anne Laval, and Pascal Bruckner, will visit Korea to meet with readers.
The program is also structured around the relationship between AI and humans. Keynote lectures will feature artists such as Eun Hee-kyung, Kim Ae-ran, Baek Su-rin, Jung Bo-ra, and Oh Eun. Keynote seminars will bring together Jang Dong-sun, Sunwoo Jung-ah, Kim Sin-rok, and Song Gil-young to discuss the role of humans in the AI era. On-site, alongside the thematic exhibition 'Homo duduri' (Declaration of Humanity), special exhibitions such as 'BBK x SIBF Book Lounge', 'Summer, First Book', and 'What a Waste, This Book' will also be held.
The special independent publishing exhibition 'Book Village' is also being expanded. Approximately 110 independent publishers are participating, along with Asian independent publishing organizations such as the Taiwan Independent Publishers Association, the Japan Independent Publishing Expo, and the Singapore Art Book Fair. The Seoul International Book Fair provides a platform that showcases not only the book market centered on major publishers but also the trends of small-scale publishing and individual creation all in one place.
A special feature book will also be published. *Human Declaration: Homo duduri* will be sold in limited quantities at the book fair venue and will also be available for purchase at online bookstores. This book contains writings and illustrations by 11 authors, including novelists Kim Yeon-su, Kim Hye-jin, Park Sun-woo, and Jang Kang-myung; poets Ahn Tae-woon, Yoo Sun-hye, Yuk Ho-su, and Lee Je-ni; music critic Bae Soon-tak; and stand-up comedian Won So-yoon.
More and Sources
