(LEAD) Culture ministry maps out plans to boost cultural industries, attract 40 mln visitors

The culture ministry in South Korea has outlined plans to bolster the country's cultural industries and aim for 40 million foreign visitors annually in the second half of the year, as reported on August 5 by Yonhap News Agency. President Lee Jae Myung was briefed on the ministry's vision, which centers on revitalizing regions and expanding into the world through K-culture, sports, and tourism.

The ministry outlined six priorities for the second half, including building a foundation as a cultural powerhouse and nurturing Korean cultural industries as a core sector. This entails expanding financial support through loans, guarantees, and funds, and investing in major intellectual properties for global markets. Content industries, which include publishers, broadcasters, advertisers, and creators of music, games, animations, movies, and other creative content, will receive increased support.

The ministry aims to use artificial intelligence in production and revise copyright rules to better reflect their use. Additionally, it plans to train 18,000 professionals in the industry by 2030 and enhance the overseas promotion of films, games, publishing, and other content. With 23 million foreign visitors expected this year, the ministry is striving for 40 million arrivals by aiming higher than its 2028 goal of 30 million.

Infrastructure improvements, visa and entry rule simplifications, and the development of regional tourism products for K-pop culture enthusiasts will all contribute to this goal. To make the country a cultural powerhouse, the ministry will improve artists' working conditions, increase investment in pure arts and indie content, and expand government support for social insurance and financial assistance.

The ministry will move away from public contests and introduce a wider range of support measures for artists. To make regions more appealing to live and work in, the ministry will expand cultural and sports facilities outside of Seoul and deploy more cultural and sports specialists locally. Other initiatives include creating an environment that fosters sports enjoyment and restoring public trust through sports reform.