Taipei rights event opens with 100 Korean titles… Taiwanese demand for Korean translations continues to grow

The program is focused on expanding overseas rights opportunities for Korean publishers. Actual publishing agreements will be determined through negotiations following the business meetings.

South Korean publishers have begun rights negotiations in Taiwan as part of an effort to expand the international distribution of Korean books.

On July 22, SayArt confirmed that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea are holding the 2026 Traveling Taipei Book Fair from July 22 to 23 at the Courtyard by Marriott Taipei.

The Traveling Book Fair has supported overseas publishing rights exports for Korean publishers since 2015. Last year, the program held four events across five countries, recording 1,045 business meetings with an estimated consultation value of approximately US$17.66 million. Those figures represent consultation volume and do not necessarily indicate completed publishing contracts.

Twenty Korean publishers, including Bombyeot Publishing, Munhakdongne Publishing, and Hansol Soobook, are participating in this year's event. Rights negotiations covering 100 Korean titles are being coordinated by Mei Agency with Taiwanese publishers and buyers.

Demand for Korean books has continued to rise in Taiwan. According to the 2025 ISBN Application Analysis Report released by Taiwan's National Central Library, newly published Korean-language translated print books increased from 580 titles in 2021 to 902 titles in 2024. Korean-language translated e-books also increased from 301 titles to 466 titles during the same period.

Major Taiwanese publishers, including S Books, Linking Publishing Company, and Commonwealth Magazine Publishing, are participating in rights meetings with Korean publishers to discuss potential licensing agreements.

In addition to business meetings, the program includes seminars on changes in Taiwan's publishing market, export strategy sessions, and buyer networking events. After the event, participating books will be donated to the King Sejong Institute in Tainan and the National Central Library of Taiwan.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea stated that the program is intended to expand overseas rights opportunities for Korean publishers. The impact on export agreements and market expansion is expected to be evaluated after follow-up negotiations are completed.

SayArt.net
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