South Korea's Ambitious Plan: Boosting K-Culture to $214 Billion
South Korea is intensifying its cultural impact with grand plans. The government has formed two high-level panels to drive this initiative. The Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, with 39 members, aims to shape K-culture policies and boost the market to a staggering 300 trillion won ($214 billion). Meanwhile, the Ministerial Cultural Arts Policy Advisory Committee, led by Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young and JYP Entertainment founder J.Y. Park, seeks to create a cultural festival surpassing Coachella and foster world peace through Korean culture.
The Ministerial Cultural Arts Policy Advisory Committee, comprising around 90 experts from nine cultural fields, operates directly under the president. It serves as a 'one-team platform' connecting Korea with the globe, promoting cultural exchange, and fueling related industry growth. The committee's goal is to build a robust cultural ecosystem and provide policy recommendations. Notable private sector members include CEOs from major K-culture companies like Hybe, YG Entertainment, SM Entertainment, Krafton, Nexon Korea, Naver Webtoon, and CJ ENM. The Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, launched with 26 private-sector members, will regularly discuss policy proposals and development strategies to strengthen public-private collaboration.
The Culture Ministry has also established a parallel advisory committee to reflect diverse voices from the cultural sector in policymaking. While the name of the chairwoman of the ministerial culture and arts advisory committee is not explicitly stated, Sabine Monauni, who leads the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Environment, and Culture in Liechtenstein as of 2025, might be related to this role.
With these committees in place, Korea is poised to become a cultural powerhouse. The aim is to achieve a K-culture market of 300 trillion won ($214 billion) and use its cultural influence to advance world peace. By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, Korea is set to play a leading role in shaping global culture.
