The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism next year will focus on solidifying the country's status as a global cultural power through spreading Hallyu (Korean Wave), quickly recovering culture in daily life and establishing the foundation for the future of culture, sports and tourism.
The ministry on Dec. 22 announced its 2022 agenda under the goal of Korea becoming "a world-leading cultural power where culture in daily life is felt by the people." The plan is to proceed with 10 projects as part of three main tasks: solidifying the country's standing as a cultural power, swiftly recovering culture in daily life, and boosting the foundation for future culture, sports and tourism.
The first step is to consolidate the ministry's function of a cultural exchange platform to continue Hallyu achievements such as BTS, the film "Parasite" and the hit Netflix series "Squid Game." The ministry will form a cooperative system centered on Korean Cultural Centers abroad and host "Korea Content Week" to support interactive programs on Korean culture and strengthen cultural exchanges.
The government will also back the expansion of exports by Hallyu-related industries. In Indonesia, for example, a comprehensive center for promoting Hallyu and an exclusive hall for K-brand on an online shopping mall will be set up. Other projects include a Hallyu expo abroad, marketing of Hallyu-related tours in Korea, and a "K-style Hub" for experiencing Hallyu in Seoul.
More support will also go to spreading elements of Korean culture like Hanbok (traditional costumes), Hanji (traditional paper) and the Korean language. Collaborations are planned with K-pop stars to develop Hanbok products and joint exhibitions will be held at museums abroad, including the Louvre Museum in Paris, to promote Hanji.
Professional teachers of Korean will be dispatched to 36 more educational centers worldwide, including branches of King Sejong Institute. The institute will also go virtual through the metaverse.
To expedite recovery of culture in daily life, the ministry will convey a message of consolation and recovery through cultural arts to the public weary from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Among the various cultural events scheduled include an exhibition featuring the restoration of the country's largest media artwork, "The More, the Better," by video art pioneer Nam June Paik.
To build a foundation for its future, the ministry will seek to achieve more through its Digital New Deal including the offering of new services such as the metaverse and strengthening the competitiveness of over-the-top video content.
Support will continue for virtual content such as those that combine cutting-edge technology with leading intellectual properties such as games, movies and webtoons (online comics) and for interactive exhibitions by national cultural facilities.
The ministry will also give full-scale support for the metaverse. It will create "K-metaworld" in an extended virtual space platform to create an environment allowing anyone worldwide to experience Hallyu content. It will also expand aid for games, animation and fashion.
Minister Hwang Hee said, "In 2022, the ministry will muster all its strength to boost the country's brand as a cultural power and swiftly recover culture in daily life for the people, who are struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic."
