{
  "id": 18079528,
  "title": "Seoul's outdoor libraries top 10 mil. visitors, set to reopen in April",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/seouls-outdoor-libraries-top-10-mil-visitors-set-to-reopen-in-april",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T06:42:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/people-events/20261104/seouls-outdoor-libraries-top-10-mil-visitors-set-to-reopen-in-april"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since their inception in 2022, Seoul's outdoor libraries have attracted over 10 million visitors, transforming public spaces into popular reading destinations. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that this year's program had drawn approximately 1.87 million visitors to three key locations - Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square, and Cheonggye Stream - before a winter shutdown on November 1. The total count of over 10 million includes visits to district-run and temporary outdoor libraries since the initiative's start.\n\nFeedback from visitors was overwhelmingly positive, with a survey of 5,155 attendees revealing that 97 percent expressed satisfaction with the program, 97.4 percent planned to return, and 97.8 percent intended to recommend it to others. Moreover, 90.3 percent of respondents reported reading books during their visits, indicating that these spaces have evolved beyond mere relaxation spots. The international spotlight has also intensified, with Bloomberg reporting on Korea's burgeoning literary scene.",
  "summary": "d Seoul's outdoor libraries have drawn more than 10 million visits since their launch in 2022, turning public squares and urban waterways into popular reading spaces and drawing growing attention from overseas media and library professionals. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that this year's program attracted approximately 1.87 million visitors to three main locations — Seoul…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul's outdoor libraries welcomed over 10 million visitors since 2022.",
    "97% of visitors expressed satisfaction, with 97.8% planning to return."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The massive visitor turnout and high satisfaction rates signal a successful shift toward using urban public spaces as active hubs for literacy and community engagement.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}