The culture ministry said Thursday that the government is planning to designate 2012 as the "National Year of Reading" in a bid to further promote the culture of reading among the public.
Unveiling its 2011 plans on the publishing industry, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports said that it will push for the reading campaign next year in order to encourage South Korean people to read more books.
According to a survey by the ministry, only 65 percent said they had read at least one book in 2010, marking a sharp decrease from 76 percent in 2004.
The ministry also said that it will establish a national library for disabled people, expanding the book delivery service for them.