Korean Publishers Strengthen Global Rights Push at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026

Fifteen Korean publishers are showcasing their books and exploring international rights opportunities at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026, with KPIPA bringing 89 titles under its new K-Book Global 100 Project and joining KOCCA and LTI Korea for a joint Korea Pavilion.
on Oct 08, 2026

Korean publishers are placing a stronger focus on international rights and overseas markets at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026, with 15 publishers participating in a dedicated rights programme led by the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency (KPIPA) with support from South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Running from October 7 to 11, KPIPA’s presence at the fair includes a 120-square-metre Rights Center and a separate 30-square-metre booth dedicated to its new K-Book Global 100 Project in Hall 5.1, at stands A143 and A153. This marks KPIPA’s sixth consecutive year at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

The Rights Center brings together publishers representing a diverse range of Korean publishing, including literature, picture books and web novels. Participants include Munhakdongne, The Pinkfong Company, Munpia, MiraeN, Book21 and Kinderland.

For Korean publishers unable to attend the fair in person, Eric Yang Agency is representing rights for a further 103 titles, allowing their books to be introduced to international publishing professionals and potential rights partners.

K-Book Global 100 Project Makes Its Frankfurt Debut

One of the key initiatives at this year’s fair is the K-Book Global 100 Project, launched in 2026 to support Korean books with strong international market potential.

The programme supports 20 projects, with each project comprising between two and five Korean titles. Its support extends across different stages of the publishing process, from international promotion to publication, with the broader objective of helping Korean books find readers and publishing partners in overseas markets.

At Frankfurt, the dedicated K-Book Global 100 booth is showcasing 89 titles from 20 selected companies, including Moonji Publishing, Minumsa, Sakyejul Publishing and Changbi.

The booth will also serve as a meeting space for international rights discussions. On October 9 at 10 a.m., four participating publishers, including Ahn Graphics and Woorischool, will present their project titles as part of efforts to introduce the books to international publishing professionals and explore export opportunities.

Supporting International Rights Meetings

KPIPA has also prepared a directory featuring participating publishers and their titles for international publishing professionals visiting the fair.

Publishers that are not exhibiting at the Rights Center can use a shared meeting space for business discussions, while interpreters with experience in publishing exports are available to support negotiations between Korean publishers and overseas partners.

The initiative reflects the growing emphasis on structured international rights development as Korean publishers look beyond domestic markets and seek opportunities for their books in different territories.

Korea Pavilion Brings Different Forms of Korean Storytelling Together

This year also marks a broader collaboration among South Korea’s major cultural and content organisations. KPIPA, the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea) are operating a joint Korea Pavilion under the theme “Crossroads of Stories.”

The pavilion brings together different strands of Korean storytelling, spanning literature and humanities as well as picture books, web novels and webtoons.

A networking event organised by the three institutions, in cooperation with the Korean Cultural Center in Germany, is scheduled for October 8 at 4 p.m. The event will bring together publishing professionals from Korea, the UK, Italy, Japan and other countries for discussions and informal exchanges.

Speaking about Korea’s expanded presence at the fair, KPIPA president Kim Seung-su said that the joint pavilion represents the first time Korea’s public institutions have come together to operate a unified presence at the world’s largest book fair. He added that the agency will continue supporting Korean publishers in expanding into international markets and pursuing concrete export opportunities.

Korean Publishing Looks Towards International Markets

With dedicated rights meetings, international representation and new support programmes, Korea’s participation at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 highlights the country’s continued efforts to build international demand for Korean books.

The combination of traditional publishing, web novels, picture books and webtoons also reflects the breadth of Korea’s contemporary storytelling ecosystem and its growing engagement with global publishing markets.

At a Glance

• Frankfurt Book Fair: October 7–11, 2026
• Venue: Messe Frankfurt, Hall 5.1
• KPIPA Rights Center: Stand A143
• K-Book Global 100 Project: Stand A153
• Rights Center: 15 Korean publishers, with 103 additional titles represented by Eric Yang Agency
• K-Book Global 100: 89 titles from 20 selected companies
• K-Book presentations: October 9, 10 a.m.
• Korea Pavilion networking event: October 8, 4 p.m.