Korea plans to boast its cutting-edge digital publishing culture at the so-called Olympics in publishing industry, IPA(Congress of the International Publishers Association) meeting next year. KEPA(www.kepa.or.kr, Korean E-Publication Association; Chairman Tae-Kyung, Choi) announced on July 5th its selection of “Excellent U-Book Publication 2007” funded by Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and introduction of the selected titles in next IPA meeting, which will be held in Seoul next May.
“Korean Literature 100 Years – Literature Memorial Hall of 100th Anniversary Novelists” by Kyobo and “World Ceramic Biennale” by Wiz System were chosen as the Best Titles of this project. “Hwang Moo Bong Moo Bo – Your Love for Dancing” by Cho-Eun Community and “Korean Culture Tour Guide” by John & John were selected for Excellent Titles. Also 100 titles including YBM Sisa.com’s “3-Dimensional Illustrated Books of Biology: Mysterious World of Butterflies”, and “Hacking and Information Security – Lee, Han-Soo” by Lee Han Publishing were included in the project.
The selected works, complying with the purpose of the project to promote high-quality electronic books for ubiquitous environment, were praised that they have shown the very standard of next generation electronic book by using multimedia functions such as voice, sound, motion pictures and animation. The best two works were given Minister Award along with 15 million Korean won while the two excellent titles and other 100 titles also received 5 million Korean won and 1 million Korean won, respectively.
KEPA exhibits 161 high-quality electronic books, 104 titles selected this year and last year’s 57 titles, at Korean Electronic Publication Industry Exhibition which falls on from November 22nd to 24th at Kintex, and plans to introduce them at the next IPA meeting where publishers from 80 countries around the world gathers to Seoul in May, 2008.
Chang, the Director of KEPA, says “We are going to show 161 high-quality electronic books through 40 to 50-inches full HD displayer or e-Ink based electronic book terminal at IPA meeting next year. It will increase reputation of Korean digital publication culture and promote export of technology and contents of high-end electronic books.”
On the other hand, KEPA aims to expand distribution of electronic books at schools, museums and local governments through next generation electronic books, which cannot be materialized by paper-based books. Also they will put their effort on export of qualified package of electronic books focusing on foreign legations(installation of PR rooms at Korean embassies and foreign legations)
Extracted from Electronic Times, July 6, 2007 |
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