Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo Gyoon says, "To mark 'Visit Korea Year' from this year to the next, we will make this year our first as a global tourism power and pursue policy to promote tourism."
Appearing on Jan. 22 on the KTV show "Conversation on National Affairs - People Ask and Minister Answers" (unofficial translation) to discuss his ministry's main plans for tourism this year, he added, "We will prepare stages and projects for experiencing Korean culture 365 days a year for visitors to Korea."
"With (the former presidential compound of) Cheong Wa Dae at the center, we will form a tourism cluster connecting Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun, museums and art galleries," he said. "The plan is to open and display the four contents of Cheong Wa Dae: history of presidents, arboretum, traditional cultural assets and art collections."
On the content industry, the minister said his ministry's focus this year is support for venture-type cultural and artistic content.
"Looking at those who entered the content industry, 78% were young people, who are the stars of Startup Korea," he added. "We provide support from the creative planning stage so that startups can quickly overcome the 'valley of death,' a difficult business period lasting three to seven years."
"Korean content and culture have secured an unrivaled global status and their influence is producing a so-called premium effect," he said. "Due to Korean culture's influence, Korean products are spreading the perception that they are different."
As examples of the growing premium effect, the minister said exports of cosmetics saw annual average growth of 26% over the past five years and those of ramyeon (instant noodles) surged 67% last year thanks to the food's exposure on the smash Netflix series "Squid Game."
On the video game sector, he said, "Games, which account for 70% of content exports, are a comprehensive cultural art that combines drama, music and storytelling," adding, "Games will further develop through the power of the younger generation's imagination."
