Professor Yoo Hongjun: "K-culture Boosts Trust in Korean Products... Enormous Promotional Impact"

"K-culture's expansion into overseas markets is enhancing the credibility of Korean products. I believe it is having an effect that surpasses any corporate promotional strategy."

Yoo Hongjun, a distinguished professor at Myongji University, emphasized the value of the cultural industry with these remarks at a forum held on the 7th in Meeting Room 2 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building. He stressed that as K-culture spreads globally, it is fostering a positive perception of Korea and generating enormous economic benefits.

The forum, organized by the Cultural Powerhouse Network, was held under the theme "Cultural Industry and the Value of Culture, and K-Daum." Professor Yoo served as the chair of the discussion and also delivered the keynote presentation.

In his keynote, Professor Yoo stated that the influence of K-culture is evident in daily life, expressing pride that Korea has become not only a global powerhouse ranked in the top ten in terms of economic and military strength, but also a cultural powerhouse.

Participants of the "Cultural Industry and the Value of Culture, K-Daum" forum held on the 7th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building are taking a commemorative photo.

Professor Yoo argued that the next administration must further solidify the foundation of Korea as a cultural powerhouse, noting that the government has played a crucial role at key turning points in this process. He first cited the Kim Dae-jung administration's opening of popular culture, followed by the Roh Moo-hyun administration's decision to halve the screen quota system (mandatory screening days for Korean films) while concluding the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Professor Yoo emphasized, "There was a huge uproar and even head-shaving protests against the Korea-US FTA, but the government confronted the challenge head-on, saying, 'If we compete confidently and win, that's good; if we fall short, we can learn and overcome.' This spirit is what has led Korea to become a cultural powerhouse today."

Finally, Professor Yoo pointed to "democratization and freedom of expression" as the most important factors behind Korea's rise as a cultural powerhouse. He stressed, "If freedom of expression is not guaranteed, Korea as a cultural powerhouse could collapse in an instant," and emphasized the need to allow artists to freely express their thoughts and emotions.

The forum was hosted by the Democratic Party of Korea's Special Committee on Culture and Arts, with lawmakers Cho Gye-won, Lim Ohkyung, Min Hyungbae, Yang Moonseok, and Lee Kiheon in attendance. Lim Ohkyung, who serves as the Democratic Party's secretary on the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, cited the Yoon Seokyeol Train incident at the 2022 Bucheon International Comics Festival and pointed out that the previous administration suppressed freedom of expression.

Representative Lim emphasized, "While the average annual growth rate of Korea's seven major traditional industries is 3.3 percent, the entertainment industry is growing at a rate of 22.8 percent," adding, "Because the cultural industry is an asset that enhances the national brand and hyper-connects the world, I will work to elevate the value of culture and promote the development of the cultural industry."

Participants in the discussion included Lee Seungmoo, professor of film at the Korea National University of Arts, Jeon Hongjun, CEO of Attract (the agency for girl group Fifty Fifty), guitarist and head of the Barun Music Cooperative Shin Daecheol, and Jang Wonseok, CEO of BA Entertainment, the production company behind the film "The Outlaws."

Lee Woojong, chairman of the Cultural Powerhouse Network, stated, "The global K-culture market, which was worth 105 trillion won last year, is expected to grow to 198 trillion won by 2030, nearly doubling in size," and argued, "We must significantly expand the cultural budget, which currently accounts for only 1.33 percent of total national expenditure, to provide full support."

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