The first Seoul International Book Fair was launched in 1995, the 50th anniversary of Korean Independence Day, in the presence of former President Kim Young Sam and then President of International Publishers Association, Fernano Guedes. It is held annually by Korea Publishers Association in order to promote Korean publications abroad, to strengthen the competitiveness of the publishing industry, to promote reading among the public, and to allow the public to enjoy diverse cultures through literature. This year, the Book Fair features a variety of special exhibitions as well as seminars to cover issues imporatant to publishing industry.