[2025 National Audit] Intangible Heritage Holders in Their 90s "Unable to Perform"... National Heritage Administration Neglects Issue

Kim Seungsoo: "No Inspections Despite Failure to Submit Transmission Education Records"
Average Age of Holders Now 75.8, Aging Crisis Deepens

National Heritage Administration

The National Heritage Administration has been found to be managing the educational performance records for the transmission of intangible cultural heritage only in a perfunctory manner, effectively neglecting its responsibilities. Concerns have been raised that the agency is not properly assessing the status of transmission, even though a significant number of elderly holders are no longer able to perform.

According to the “2024 Public Event Inspection Project Result Report” and the “Training Performance Report for Holders Aged 90 and Above,” released by Assemblyman Kim Seungsoo of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on October 19, many holders are unable to continue transmission activities due to old age and health issues, yet oversight and supervision have been virtually absent.

Article 17 of the current “Act on the Preservation and Promotion of Intangible Heritage” stipulates that the National Heritage Administration must designate holders of intangible heritage and manage and support the implementation of transmission education. Holders are required to organize at least one public event and provide training annually.

However, Holder A (age 93) was unable to perform his role in last year’s regular performance due to deteriorating health. An on-site expert assessed that he was so frail that it was practically impossible for him to perform and recommended that he be transitioned to honorary holder status.

Holder B (age 94) judged himself unable to perform and applied for the event with reduced expenses. The evaluation report pointed out that “due to advanced age, there was insufficient demonstration of traditional production skills.” He also failed to submit any records of transmission education over the past two years.

Holder C (age 91) merely attended the event and did not perform. The report stated, “It is considered that further performances are no longer possible due to old age,” and the organization in question has not submitted transmission education records for two consecutive years.

The aging of intangible heritage holders is accelerating. As of this year, the average age is 75.8, about two years older than in 2021 (73.9). Of the current total of 172 holders, 121 (70.3%) are in their 70s or 80s, and twelve are in their 90s.

There are now six categories with no holders at all, only one more than last year. There are also as many as thirty-four categories with only a single holder. This signals a serious threat to the sustainability of intangible heritage transmission.

Assemblyman Kim emphasized, “If we do not establish a management system appropriate for the aging transmission environment, the thread of tradition could be severed. While we must honor those who have dedicated their lives to transmission by designating them as honorary holders, the National Heritage Administration must also take proactive measures to ensure the continuation of each category.”

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