Yoon Mentions National Soccer Team, "Need to Check if Fair Compensation Was Given"

Closing Remarks at the State Council Meeting
President Yoon: "The Core of K-Content is Star Business... A Fair Compensation System Must Be Established"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon emphasized on the 13th that a fair compensation system must be established for the national soccer team players who advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

President Yoon made this remark during his closing comments at the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office, according to a briefing by Deputy Spokesperson Lee Jae-myung of the Presidential Office.

On the afternoon of the 8th, President Yoon hosted a dinner at the Blue House State Guest House, inviting the Korean national soccer team, and the Presidential Office also displayed a large photo signed by the national team players along with memorabilia in the first-floor lobby.

President Yoon said, "We often talk only about the game results, but it is necessary to review whether a system has been established to ensure that players receive fair compensation during the process."

He continued, "K-content is often praised worldwide, but the core is the star business. It is an era where a single star leads the cultural industry and creates numerous jobs," adding, "For the star business to succeed, above all, a fair compensation system must be in place. Since sports are also important cultural content, we must ask ourselves whether national team players have been properly compensated."

President Yoon said, "At the dinner with the national soccer team, not only Son Heung-min but also substitute and reserve players were invited to the head table to ensure they could be fairly compensated and evaluated," and added, "I told them, 'You are the winning team.'"

Addressing the Cabinet members, he said, "When K-content is well received worldwide, our various export products also become preferred," urging, "Therefore, although the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is the main department for K-content, all ministries must work together."

Meanwhile, President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee expressed respect and gratitude by delivering cards and donations to 15 sharing organizations dedicated to helping socially vulnerable groups during the year-end and New Year season.

In their message, the presidential couple wrote, "The warmth you share is the light and hope of society," and added, "The government will also support your efforts to deliver love and hope so that no one is left behind. Let us move toward a better future based on the spirit of solidarity."

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