Sakyejul Publishing

Sakyejul Publishing (사계절출판사) is a South Korean publishing house founded on June 1, 1982, by Kim Young-jong during the military dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan. Initially focused on progressive social science literature—including works such as 'Socialist Theory of Man' that were banned by authorities—the company later broadened its scope to humanities, children's, and young adult books as socialist states declined in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Kim stepped down in 1994, and Kang Mal-sil, who had been an editor since 1987, became CEO in 1995. Under her leadership, Sakyejul expanded into children's literature, picture books, liberal arts, history, and humanities. Notable publications include the 1985 edition of Hong Myeong-hee's historical novel 'Im Kkeok-jeong' and Hwang Sun-mi's 2000 children's book 'The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly,' which was later adapted into an animated film. The publisher is currently located in the Paju Publishing Complex in Gyeonggi Province. Its 'Korean Life History Museum' series won several awards, including the SBS Children's Media Award Grand Prize and the Korean Publishing Culture Award Special Prize.

Sakyejul Publishing was established on June 1, 1982, by Kim Young-jong, a former student activist who had been expelled from Chonnam National University and imprisoned for his involvement in protests. During its early years, the company published progressive social science books, including 'Socialist Theory of Man,' which led to bans and legal troubles. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, as socialist regimes collapsed, Sakyejul shifted its focus toward humanities, children's, and young adult literature. In 1985, it published Hong Myeong-hee's historical novel 'Im Kkeok-jeong,' a significant work in modern Korean literature. Kim Young-jong stepped down in 1994 for personal reasons, and Kang Mal-sil, who had been the editorial director since 1987, became CEO in 1995. Under her leadership, the publisher expanded into children's books, picture books, liberal arts, history, and humanities. In 2000, it published Hwang Sun-mi's 'The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly,' which became a bestseller and was later adapted into an animated film. The company's 'Korean Life History Museum' series received numerous awards, including the SBS Children's Media Award Grand Prize, the Korean Publishing Culture Award Special Prize, and recognition from design and education organizations. Today, Sakyejul Publishing is located in the Paju Publishing Complex in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

• 2000

  Published Hwang Sun-mi's 'The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly'.

• 1995

  Kang Mal-sil became CEO.

• 1994

  Kim Young-jong stepped down as CEO.

• 1985

  Published Hong Myeong-hee's historical novel 'Im Kkeok-jeong'.

• 1982

  Founded on June 1 by Kim Young-jong in South Korea.

Independent publisher known for progressive social science and high-quality children's and humanities literature.

• 2000

  The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly (마당을 나온 암탉)

• 1985

  Im Kkeok-jeong (임꺽정)

• Korean Life History Museum series (한국생활사박물관)

• Classroom Outside series (교실 밖 시리즈)

• Atlas series (아틀라스 시리즈)

1. 1Sakyejul Publishing - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2사계절출판사 - Korean Wikipediako.wikipedia.org