Learning About ISBN

Learn about ISBNs for publishing eBooks.
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Is an ISBN Required to Publish an eBook?

If you want an eBook you wrote to be distributed through online bookstores such as Aladin or YES24, you need an ISBN, just as you would for a printed book.

Of course, if you do not want to distribute it through online bookstores, you do not need one. Still, if you want the book you worked hard on to be read more widely, getting an ISBN is probably worthwhile.

Before an ISBN is issued, services such as UPaper may provide a way to sell through their own sales platform. You may also sell separately through social media or similar channels.

What Is an ISBN?

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a unique identifier for books and other publications. ISBNs are used around the world to identify and track books. Each ISBN identifies a specific edition of a book.

An ISBN is generally made up of 13 digits. For example, it may look like 978-0-306-40615-7. The number consists of the following parts:

  1. Prefix (EAN code): A three-digit prefix such as 978 or 979 is an EAN code. It is used when converting an ISBN into an EAN barcode.
  2. Group Identifier: The group identifier is used to identify the country, language, or group that published the book.
  3. Publisher Identifier: The publisher identifier identifies a specific publisher.
  4. Book Identifier: The book identifier is a unique number assigned to the book by the publisher.
  5. Check Digit: The check digit is calculated from the other digits and is used to verify the validity of the ISBN.

ISBNs are used to identify books and are a standard used throughout the publication and distribution process. They are used in many book-related settings and are managed nationally in most countries.

How to Get an ISBN

An ISBN can be issued by each country’s publishing association or designated ISBN agency. In Korea, issuance is handled by the Korea ISBN Center. Usually, publishers or book authors apply for ISBNs.

The general process for getting an ISBN is as follows:

  1. Check the publishing association or ISBN agency
    • First, find the publishing association or ISBN agency for the relevant country.
    • The publishing association or ISBN agency may differ by country.
  2. Fill out the application form
    • The publisher or author of the book must complete the form for applying for an ISBN.
    • This form includes information about the publisher and the book.
  3. Submit the application
    • Submit the completed application form to the relevant publishing association or ISBN agency.
    • Required documents or information may differ depending on the agency.
  4. Pay the fee
    • A fee may be required for ISBN issuance.
    • The payment method and amount may differ depending on the agency’s policy.
  5. ISBN assignment
    • The publishing association or ISBN agency reviews the submitted information and assigns an ISBN.
    • The ISBN is then given to the publisher or author.
  6. Use the ISBN
    • The assigned ISBN is used during the publication and distribution process.
    • The ISBN should be displayed on the book cover and publication information.

To get an ISBN, you must follow the policies and procedures of the publishing association or ISBN agency in the relevant country. Because procedures and requirements can differ by country, it is important to check accurate information for that country.

In Korea, the process is as follows.

  • Individuals can apply by proxy through eBook platforms such as UPaper or Jakkawa.
  • Publishers must apply directly through the National Library of Korea.

In other words, publishers can receive ISBNs directly, but individuals cannot.

ISBN Issuance Criteria

The criteria for receiving an ISBN are as follows.

ISBNs cannot be assigned to planners, reading logs, diaries, calendars, household account books, postcard books, post books, sketchbooks, sticker books, user manuals, Q&A materials, personal records, or similar materials that take the form of books but lose their value after personal use or after a certain period of time. (Korean Cataloging Rules, 7th edition, page 13)

As shown above, ISBNs cannot be issued for materials intended for personal records or for calendars and similar materials whose value disappears over time.