Jeonbuk Jeonju Ranks First in Regional Culture Composite Index

14% Increase in Cultural Infrastructure and Living Culture Facilities per Capita Over 3 Years
Urban Advantage in Cultural Activities Remains "Seeking Promotion Plans for Non-Capital Regions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The cultural infrastructure and living culture facility environment of basic local governments have significantly improved. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute disclosed the results of a regional cultural survey diagnosing the status of public sector cultural supply and the regional cultural composite index calculated based on these results on the 14th.

In the 2020 survey targeting 245 local governments nationwide, the number of cultural infrastructure and living culture facilities per capita in basic local governments increased by 14% and 12%, respectively, compared to 2017. The scale of organizations and personnel also grew steadily, including regional cultural and arts corporations and related organizations (27%), social enterprises related to culture and arts (39%), registered artists (110%), and curatorial professionals (59%). The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism added, "The per capita cultural budget also increased by 28% from three years ago to 131,000 KRW," and "there were nine cases of related ordinance enactments." However, due to the spread of COVID-19 and other factors, the number of performance days at cultural centers (-50%), regional festival budgets (-60%), and the usage rate of integrated cultural vouchers (-3.8%) showed a declining trend.

The Ministry applied weights to each indicator and standardized them to calculate the regional cultural composite index. The city with the highest score was Jeonju, Jeonbuk. Following were Andong, Gyeongbuk; Changwon, Gyeongnam; Seongnam, Gyeonggi; Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk; Cheongju, Chungbuk; Bucheon, Gyeonggi; Dangjin, Chungnam; Iksan, Jeonbuk; and Suwon, Gyeonggi. Among counties, Wanju, Jeonbuk received the highest score, followed by Buyeo, Chungnam; Seongju, Gyeongbuk; Gangjin, Jeonnam; Geochang, Gyeongnam; Jeungpyeong, Chungbuk; Gurye, Jeonnam; Inje, Gangwon; Jindo, Jeonnam; and Seocheon, Chungnam. Among districts, the highest scores were in Jongno-gu, Seoul; Buk-gu, Daegu; Jung-gu, Daegu; Seongdong-gu, Seoul; Geumcheon-gu, Seoul; Mapo-gu, Seoul; Seocho-gu, Seoul; Seongbuk-gu, Seoul; Dalseo-gu, Daegu; and Nowon-gu, Seoul, in that order.

The Ministry explained, "The regional cultural composite index showed comparable levels between the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas," adding, "Cultural policies and resources were higher in non-metropolitan areas, while cultural activities were higher in the metropolitan area." They continued, "The urban advantage in cultural activities continues," and stated, "We will seek ways to promote cultural activities in non-metropolitan and rural areas."

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