By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced on Oct. 10 that Seoul set the world record for “most people in a reading relay” at Gwanghwamun Square, winning the Guinness World Records title on Sat, Sep. 27.

The event marked the 80th anniversary of Korea’s national liberation and the passing of poet Yun Dong-ju. With this achievement, South Korea has become the official Guinness World Records holder for the “most people in a reading relay.”

The challenge was declared a success at 6:34 PM when the 3,532nd participant finished the relay. This surpassed India’s record of 3,071 participants, set in 2015 at the Library of Marwadi Education Foundation in Gujarat. Far more people joined than expected, with the total exceeding the goal of 3,180 by 352.

The event kicked off at 8 AM with congratulatory remarks from honorary mayor of Seoul Dr. Oh Eun-young, followed by her reading of Yun Dong-ju’s “Self-Portrait.” At 8:22 AM, Dr. Ihn Namkoong, who also serves as honorary mayor of Seoul, declared the start of the challenge and took the first turn as reader.

Professor Lee Hyang-jin of Rikkyo University in Japan closed the relay as the 3,532nd (final) reader. Yun’s studies at Rikkyo University and its plan to erect a Yun Dong-ju memorial this October gave the finale added significance. The event was supported by corporate sponsors including Shinhan Bank, Chubb Group LINA General Insurance, Binggrae, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Among the participants, 47.9% (2,250 people) were in their 20s and 30s, highlighting the younger generation’s growing interest in reading culture amid the “text-hip” trend. The challenge also drew participants across all age groups, families with infants as young as six months, school-age children, and seniors in their seventies and eighties.