Korea's regional cities bet on culture for growth

South Gyeongsang Province, located 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is at the forefront of an ambitious national effort to spur regional development through culture. To mark this progress, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Province and the National Council of Cultural Cities, inaugurated the 2026 National Cultural City Fair on Friday near the historic Yeongnamru Pavilion.

This four-day event, running through Sunday, brings together 37 designated "cultural cities" from across Korea to discuss how local heritage can breathe new life into provincial towns.

Amidst major demographic shifts and rapid rural depopulation, South Korea launched its Cultural City initiative in 2019. The policy aims to empower municipalities, local artists, and residents to develop distinctive cultural identities, bolstering local economic growth and reversing the outflow of young people. In just seven years, the program has become a vital component of regional policy, offering structural support to smaller cities as they cultivate sustainable, creative ecosystems outside the capital region.

According to the fair's organizers, "Cultures are the true wealth of nations." By harnessing the power of cultural identity, South Korea's regional cities hope to not only preserve their heritage but also propel economic development, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.