Analysis of the Global Publishing Market and Policy Implications for K-Publishing

This study aims to analyze the global market expansion strategies of the Korean publishing industry (K-Publishing) and derive effective policy implications. Since the 1990s, K-Publishing has expanded from Japan to other Asian regions and, from the 2000s onwards, has reached markets in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to Han Kang further solidified K-Publishing's global presence. This study examines the acceptance of K-Publishing in different regions, evaluates the effectiveness of domestic support policies, and explores future growth strategies in the global market. The findings reveal regional differences in publishing content consumption patterns and genre preferences, with novels, children's picture books, and comics demonstrating strong international competitiveness. However, K-Publishing's awareness and demand remain relatively low in English-speaking markets, indicating the need for targeted improvements. Additionally, government-supported initiatives, particularly those led by the Korea Publication Industry Promotion Agency (KPIPA), have been largely uniform in execution, highlighting the necessity for region-specific strategies and policy refinements. This study underscores the importance of strategic regional approaches and collaboration between government and private organizations to ensure K-Publishing's sustainable growth in the global publishing market. It also suggests strengthening marketing efforts and infrastructure development to enhance consumer engagement worldwide.