Nine Korean picture books have been selected for the 2026 Korea Picture Book Award, with the government pledging export support to help winning authors reach readers worldwide. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday that nine works were chosen from 506 entries for the fourth annual awards, established in 2023 to promote the development of Korean picture books and expand their presence in overseas markets. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ferrum Tower in central Seoul. The two grand prizes went to Jeon Mi-hwa's "To the Fish in the Sea, to the Birds in the Sky, to the Animals in the Forest, and to Humans" in fiction and Kim Ji-won's "Raising Earthworms" in nonfiction. Each grand prize winner will receive 15 million won ($10,350) and the Culture Minister's Award. The six special awards recognize works by Baek Hee-na, for "Gumeongcheong"; Kim Bok-hee and Lee Myung-ae for "The Most Wonderful Bird"; Jin Eun-young and Lee Suzy for "Today Is My Birthday"; Nam Ki-rim for "All the Goodbyes in the World"; So Yoon-kyung for "Kosirong Haenyeo Table"; and Kim Hyo