Kyobo Book Centre, a major bookstore, has decided to temporarily halt sales of works by author Han Kang. Kyobo Book Centre announced through a sign at its Gwanghwamun location that sales of Han Kang’s books will be temporarily restricted until the 31st to promote mutual growth with local bookstores. Sales will resume on the 1st of the next month, and they have requested that customers use nearby local bookstores in the meantime.
However, to ensure minimal customer convenience, up to 2,000 copies will be sold each day at eight locations, including the main Gwanghwamun store and the Gangnam branch. Additionally, over the next ten days, 150,000 copies are expected to be supplied to local bookstores.
Kyobo Book Centre, which operates as both a retailer and wholesaler of books, faced criticism from the Korean Federation of Bookstore Associations, which accused it of not supplying Han Kang’s books to local bookstores to protect its own interests.