Will Park Bo-gyun's Commitment to Welfare and Redistribution Expand into the Growth Supremacy Field?

Reviewing Intensive Development at 1st Anniversary Press Conference
Implying Harmony Between Growth and Distribution in Competition- and Efficiency-Centered Sectors
Expressing Awareness of Urgent Need for Structural Reform in K-Contents

Swans glide gracefully on the lake, thanks to their webbed feet that move tirelessly beneath the water. Behind the global rise of K-Culture lies the hard work and dedication of cultural officials. Through large-scale policy financing support and fostering of prospective entrepreneurs, startups, and ventures, K-content is being guided as a 'game changer' to reshape the export landscape. This year’s export target is 15 billion dollars, with steady backing aiming for 22 billion dollars by 2027.

Growth-centric ideology has been the root of intensive development but has also caused various side effects. A prime example is Netflix’s 2.5 billion dollar investment, touted as a success from the government’s recent visit to the U.S. However, there are numerous unresolved issues beneath the surface. Netflix still almost monopolizes the intellectual property (IP) rights of domestic films and dramas. Despite increasing annual sales, it pays only about 3 billion won in taxes and outright refuses to pay network usage fees.

The poor creative environment has not improved either. Webtoons have emerged as a growth engine for K-content, but most creators are in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous position regarding revenue sharing. A significant portion of sales is taken by distribution platforms and production companies, which act as subcontractors, under various fees and commissions. Demands for IP rights are also frequent. Daily life is a continuous cycle of long working hours, with creators wrestling in front of computers for an average of 60 to 70 hours per week.

Park Bo-gyun, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, understands better than anyone the importance of balancing growth with welfare and distribution. Over the past year, the group he has met most frequently is people with disabilities. He recommended them as members of the Arts Council and the Korea Creative Content Agency board, and a dedicated standard performance hall will be established in September. At a press conference marking his first anniversary in office held on the 16th at a restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul, he said, "I attended a meeting with people with disabilities at the end of last year and had a meaningful three-hour conversation," adding, "Based on voices from the field, we recently started support for the development of sign language."

Efforts to strengthen internal foundations also appear in accompanying the younger generation. In December last year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism formed the '2030 Advisory Group' composed of young people under 39 active in policy fields under the ministry, including culture, arts, content, tourism, and sports. They convey the voices from their respective fields to the government and propose new cultural policies and improvements to existing projects from a youth perspective. Minister Park said, "As a journalist traveling around the world, I was always dismayed by the relatively limited spaces for our young people," adding, "While correcting misconceptions, I listen carefully to their ideas, visions, and passion to refine policies precisely."

However, this distinctive will is rarely demonstrated in fields focused on competition and efficiency. Instead, it often leaves the impression of being crushed under the burden and impatience for results. One example is the Blue House, which was hastily opened to coincide with President Yoon Seok-yeol’s inauguration. The state guesthouse, originally planned to be repurposed as an art exhibition hall, has been used as a venue for state events since December last year. Plans to build a new guesthouse near the Yongsan Presidential Office were scrapped, leading to frequent dinners and meetings there. Minister Park said, "We are striving to harmonize traditional functions with public viewing," and promised, "We will continue to refine and implement policies to address shortcomings and insufficiencies."

The area most urgently needing structural reform is K-content, especially the legal safeguards to protect IP. France, for example, has introduced new regulations implementing the European Union’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) into domestic law, limiting the IP monopoly period of content invested in by global operators to three years. Minister Park said, "I will look further into how to advance IP protection and broaden its scope," showing a cautious yet clear awareness and practical sense of the issue.

"Cultural and artistic workers need to become so familiar with copyright that they treat it as practical information. After recent study, I found it not that difficult. I plan to lecture at Cheongju University to prevent the MZ generation from suffering losses. Becoming familiar from a young age will prevent unfortunate incidents like the 'black rubber shoes' case."

Minister Park foresees that the future of K-Culture will brighten only if young people show initiative. He said, "When asked about the secret to K-Culture’s success overseas, the answers always include originality, fighting spirit, and boldness," diagnosing, "Our young people’s strength lies not in IT technology itself but in well-structured and authentic content utilizing it." He added, "I hope they continue to widely promote values of consideration, companionship, and peace that resonate with people worldwide."

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