Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon on March 6 gives a welcoming speech before announcing Culture Korea 2035, a mid- to long-term vision for cultural policy, at the briefing room of Government Complex-Seoul in the city's Jongno-gu District. (Heo Man-jin from Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

By Charles Audouin

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced Culture Korea 2035, a mid- to long-term vision for cultural policy.

The plan emphasized a fundamental policy shift based on economic and social changes and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). It also suggested a break from government-centric support to boost leadership by the private sector and fair cooperation.

The first task is AI-focused content production and data use systems in culture, sports, tourism and art, followed by adoption of AI-based technologies in games, video and performing arts and revamp of AI copyright systems. Digital cultural resources owned by the ministry will also be shared with the private sector.

Another objective is to remove cultural gaps between regions, set up four national youth art organizations this year, and relocate Seoul Performing Arts Company to the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju next year.

Other measures include the launch of regional branches of national museums and the National Gugak Center and incorporation of the National Theater of Korea. The development of tourism in the provinces will focus on related content like areas around lakes, mountains and seas and places featuring history, culture and Hallyu (Korean Wave).

To respond to the low birth rate, aging population and growth of multicultural families, the launch of customized recreational and sports facilities will include children's art villages and elderly leisure centers. Cultural spaces for disabled people and stronger measures for cultural diversity are also planned.

More financial support will go toward content by sector like movies, over-the-top services and webtoons. Other programs include diversification of accommodations and development of region-specific content including bicycles, battlefield tourism, cruises, and treatment and healing.

In sports, a proposed AI-based data system will be used in policy planning.

To elevate Korean culture's standing on the global stage, Korean Cultural Centers will be transformed into complex cultural spaces and Korea Centers will be opened in countries like Mexico and Vietnam. An integrative platform on information about Korea will be set up for foreign nationals and those abroad and official development assistance for cultural projects will target transportation and medicine.

The ministry said, "To advance the powers of imagination, thinking and questioning that are deemed more necessary in the AI era, we will promote reading and literature to stimulate more participatory and productive leisure activities and expand policy actions that reflect social reality."

caudouin@korea.kr