{
  "id": 18083241,
  "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-18083241",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T07:12:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "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": "Seoul's outdoor libraries have welcomed over 10 million visitors since their inception in 2022, transforming public spaces into thriving reading spots and garnering significant international interest. The city's government reported that this year's outdoor library program saw approximately 1.87 million visitors at three key locations - Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square, and Cheonggye Stream - prior to closing for a winter break on November 1. The total count surpassing 10 million incorporates visits to district-run and temporary outdoor libraries since the program's launch. A survey of 5,155 visitors revealed an impressive 97% satisfaction rate, with 97.4% planning to return and 97.8% expressing intent to recommend the libraries to others. Notably, 90.3% of respondents reported actually reading books during their visits, indicating the spaces have evolved beyond mere relaxation areas. Growing international attention was highlighted by Bloomberg's Friday report on Korea's flourishing \"text hip\" reading culture.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}