Candidate Hwang Hee: "Overcoming COVID-19 Damage and Prioritizing Cultural New Deal Strategy"

September 9 National Assembly Confirmation Hearing "Direct Communication by Personally Engaging in Areas Lacking Experience"
"Comprehensive Measures Through Not Only Budget Reallocation and Utilization but Also Supplementary Budgets"

Hwang Hee, nominee for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is delivering opening remarks at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Hwang Hee, nominee for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, promised to address cultural, sports, and tourism issues based on his experience with the 4th Industrial Revolution Special Committee and the K-New Deal Committee.

On the 9th, during his opening remarks at the National Assembly confirmation hearing, Hwang mentioned current issues such as the convergence of culture and technology, changes in the international content environment including Over-The-Top (OTT) services, recovery from COVID-19 damage, and responses to environmental changes. He said, "For areas where I lack experience, I will actively engage on the ground and communicate directly with the field, doing my best to create policies that reflect the vivid voices from the front lines."

He identified the most urgent issue as recovering from the cultural sector damage caused by COVID-19 and building a cultural powerhouse. "We will overcome COVID-19 damage and boldly support and invest in future-oriented cultural policies by preparing and implementing a cultural New Deal or cultural powerhouse strategy," he stated.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism nominee Hwang Hee is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 9th, taking the oath as a witness. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In fact, the direct damage to the tourism industry over the past year amounts to 16.6 trillion won. The estimated damage in the sports sector exceeds 30 trillion won. The cultural sector is also suffering as opportunities for artistic creation and production have disappeared, causing distress among artists and producers alike.

Hwang said, "I will focus on expanding support for industries affected in the culture, arts, tourism, and sports sectors. This includes not only reallocating and utilizing existing budgets but also securing effective additional budgets through supplementary budgets and preparing comprehensive measures such as tax policies." He added, "We will significantly strengthen various projects and programs that provide greater access to cultural enjoyment to comfort the public."

Regarding the cultural New Deal or cultural powerhouse strategy, he proposed three pledges: ▲ strengthening the international competitiveness of the content industry through the convergence of culture and technology in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution ▲ revitalizing the tourism industry and fostering the sports industry ▲ enhancing the status as a cultural leading nation through the spread of the K-brand and expansion of the new Hallyu. Hwang stated, "We will build a dense cultural infrastructure that the public can relate to and that ensures sustainability."

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism nominee Hwang Hee appeared at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 9th and responded to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Hwang also mentioned guaranteeing the rights and strengthening fairness for workers in the culture, sports, and tourism sectors. "I will work to resolve major issues such as expanding welfare support for artists, stabilizing the employment insurance system for artists, and normalizing corruption and unfair practices in the sports sector," he said.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.