READING CULTURE PROMOTION ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to strengthening national competitiveness, guaranteeing citizens equal opportunities to engage in reading culture activities, and improving the quality of their life by providing for fundamental matters regarding the promotion of reading culture so as to improve citizens' intellectual powers and emotional health and prepare the groundwork for lifelong learning. <Amended on Oct. 31, 2023>

Article 2(Definitions) #

The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: <Amended on Dec. 20, 2016>

1. The term "reading culture" means mental cultural activities, mainly focused on reading works expressed in written form and writing such works, and cultural outcomes from such activities;

2. The term "reading material" means materials expressed in written form and necessary for reading activities, such as printed matters, including books and serial publications, audio-visual materials, digital data, and special materials for the disabled;

3. The term "underprivileged reader" means a person who is excluded from reading culture or is unable to use reading materials due to physical disabilities, such as a visual disability or aging, or economic, social, geographical restrictions, etc.;

4. The term "school" means a school under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Article 3(Responsibilities of the State and Local Governments) #

(1) The State and each local government shall establish and enforce policies necessary for the promotion of reading culture. <Amended on Dec. 20, 2016>

(2) The State and local governments shall continuously devise policies to guarantee underprivileged readers opportunities to engage in reading culture activities. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 31, 2023>

(3) The State and local governments shall secure financial resources necessary to establish and implement policies under paragraphs (1) and (2), and mutually cooperate. <Newly Inserted on Dec. 20, 2016; Oct. 31, 2023>