SK innovation opens children's libraries to improve reading access in rural South Korea

SK Innovation opened seven children's libraries in rural areas of South Korea this year, including sites in Gumi, Jinan, and Miryang.

The company launched the 2026 Happy Dream Library initiative to improve the reading environments for children living in these communities. The initiative uses the 1% Happiness Sharing Fund, which consists of contributions from employees at SK Innovation affiliates who donate 1% of their base salaries.

The company partnered with Kyobo Book Centre and Save the Children Korea to establish these spaces. Over the last three years, the company has opened 32 libraries across the country and donated about 33,000 books. Save the Children Korea reported that approximately 2,000 children used these libraries over the past three years.

A survey of these children showed that their reading frequency increased by 87% and their interest in reading rose by 160% compared to their habits before the project started.