Mid-sized Ombudsman Collaborates with Ministry of Culture to Improve Cultural Regulations in Gaming and Tourism

Promotion of Government Support Expansion to Revitalize SME Cultural Entertainment Expenses System and Foster Drone Sports Industry

Jubong Park, Mid-term Ombudsman (Vice Minister level).
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The Small and Medium Business Ombudsman, together with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has decided to actively improve regulations in cultural fields such as culture, arts, games, tourism, and sports to expand the recognition of cultural entertainment expenses as deductible costs and to foster the drone sports industry.

Park Ju-bong, Small and Medium Business Ombudsman (vice ministerial level), announced on the 27th that he invited Hwang Hee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to hold a 'Growth Ladder Forum' and a 'Regulatory Innovation Discussion' in the cultural sector at the Government Seoul Office.

The Growth Ladder Forum is a meeting where the Ombudsman and heads of small and medium business associations invite high-ranking public officials to discuss ways to resolve regulatory difficulties. This forum, attended by eight associations representing small, medium, and venture companies, was organized to discuss regulatory improvement measures in cultural fields closely related to the daily lives of citizens, such as culture, arts, games, tourism, and sports.

At the meeting, the heads of associations requested the activation of the current system recognizing cultural entertainment expenses as deductible costs for small and medium enterprises, and the expansion of government support to foster the drone sports industry.

Minister Hwang said, "We plan to expand the scale of the 'Small and Medium Enterprise Cultural Entertainment Expense Support Project' to promote corporate cultural consumption," adding, "To revitalize the drone sports industry, we are promoting regional sports-specialized tourism projects and the establishment of drone sports centers, and we will continue to consider additional support measures."

Other issues raised included △ expanding the scope of main materials for camping facilities currently limited to tents, △ easing the burden on business owners regarding the obligation to report and fines imposed for violations when modifying the content of rated games, and △ improving the regular education methods for game-related business operators.

In response, Minister Hwang explained, "We will push for revisions to the Enforcement Decree of the Tourism Promotion Act and other regulations to expand the scope of main materials for camping facilities," adding, "A bill to exempt the reporting obligation for rated games has been proposed, and regarding regular education for game-related business owners, a system will be established this year to fully implement online education from next year."

Ombudsman Park Ju-bong stated, "Even minor regulatory improvements can be a great help to small and medium enterprises and small business owners," and added, "We will continue to listen carefully to the voices from the field who are experiencing unprecedented difficulties due to COVID-19 and actively consult with relevant ministries to improve these hardships."

Minister Hwang also emphasized, "As social distancing continues, companies and workers in cultural sectors such as performances, sports facilities, and tourism are facing serious difficulties," and stressed, "We will do our best to actively improve even small regulations and continuously expand government support to resolve these difficulties."

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