Hwang Hee: "We Will Build a Cultural Powerhouse Dreamed of by Jeongjo and Kim Gu"

Minister of Culture's Inaugural Speech: "Like Ivy, We Need the Power of 'Us' Not 'Me'"
Proposes Overcoming COVID-19, Restoring Cultural Ecosystem, and Public Communication as Cultural Powerhouse Tasks
"I Will Not Hesitate to Serve as a Shield to Protect Beliefs and Convictions"

"Following economic, human rights, and welfare advancements, we must solidify our status as a developed nation through cultural leaps." This was the determination expressed by Hwang Hee, the newly appointed Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in his inaugural speech. At the inauguration ceremony held on the 15th at the Sejong Government Complex, he told the staff, "Once again, I think of the ivy and strive to overcome the walls before us." He urged, "Like ivy that may sway in the wind but never falls, let us join hands and move forward together."

The ivy he mentioned blooms countless leaves even on barren walls without a drop of water. Although its growth is slow, each leaf embodies tenacious vitality. Hundreds and thousands of leaves cling tightly together, demonstrating the power to eventually overcome even the highest walls. Referring to this aspect, Minister Hwang said, "The reality we face due to COVID-19 is not easy, and the goals we have set are not easily achievable, but now more than ever, the power of 'we' rather than 'I' is desperately needed." He added, "I will do my best so that you can work proudly and confidently. I will not hesitate to act as a shield to protect your beliefs and convictions."

The vision Minister Hwang presented for this year’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is "Overcome the COVID-19 crisis and leap forward as a cultural powerhouse." The goals are broadly categorized into three: ▲Overcoming the COVID-19 crisis ▲Restoring the cultural ecosystem through a cultural New Deal ▲Communicating with the public. Regarding overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, Hwang stated, "We will discover innovative measures such as the introduction of rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and persuade related ministries to apply them on-site." He also said, "We will prepare meticulous additional support policies and systematic crisis management measures."

On restoring the cultural ecosystem, he said, "The core of the cultural New Deal is creating a sustainable market through infrastructure development," adding, "Through this, we will expand the public’s access to culture and raise the quality of cultural services." Concerning communication with the public, he reiterated the existing policy that "the answer lies in the field." He promised, "We will continuously collect opinions from the field and promptly reflect them in policies," and pledged, "We will do our best to heal and restore the pain of the public saddened by COVID-19." Referring to recent violence incidents in the sports sector, he said, "We will also eradicate these through communication with the field."

Minister Hwang also mentioned King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty and Baekbeom Kim Gu. Both figures shared the dream of a cultural powerhouse. Jeongjo believed that the rise and fall of a nation depended not on military power but on cultural strength. While establishing the Gyujanggak (Royal Library), he provided a foundation for artists like Danwon Kim Hong-do and Hyewon Shin Yun-bok to actively flourish. Kim Gu wished for Korea to become the most beautiful country in the world. He emphasized, "The only thing I endlessly desire is the power of high culture."

Minister Hwang said, "The dream of a cultural powerhouse is not only the dream of those living in the present," adding, "We will leap forward as a genuine cultural powerhouse, thereby enhancing national pride, boosting the country’s economic power, and contributing to world peace and human prosperity." He promised, "As a proud member of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism family, I will share joys and hardships with you and contemplate our future together."

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