[2025 Audit] National Arts Organization Heads: "Relocation to Regional Areas Requires Careful Review"

On October 22, the heads of national arts organizations stated at the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit that a careful and comprehensive review is necessary regarding the relocation of national arts organizations to regional areas.

Choi Sangho, Director of the Korea National Opera, responded to Assemblyman Min Hyungbae of the Democratic Party of Korea's question, "Are you opposed to relocating national arts organizations to regional areas?" by saying, "I agree with the idea for the sake of balanced regional development overall, but there are many things that must be prepared if such a move is to take place," adding, "A careful review is needed."

Ryu Sangrok, Acting Director and Artistic Director of the Seoul Performing Arts Company, also said, "I believe a comprehensive review is required regarding the issue of relocating national arts organizations to regional areas," and added, "If, based on such a review, it is determined to be the will of the people, we will accept it."

Min Hyungbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the 2025 National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In March, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the 'Cultural Korea 2035' vision, outlining the mid- to long-term direction and tasks for cultural policy over the next 10 years. At that time, balanced regional cultural development was selected as the first of six key tasks, and the relocation of national arts organizations and institutions to regional areas was set as the top priority for implementation.

Assemblyman Min Hyungbae also explained that the discussion of relocating national arts organizations to regional areas is being raised as a way to address regional imbalances. He pointed out that the proportion of regional arts performances is very low, stating, "Ninety percent of all performances are concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area."

In response, Acting Director Ryu Sangrok said, "The Seoul Performing Arts Company also opposes this concentration in Seoul," and added, "We are increasing the number of regional performances."

Director Choi Sangho stated, "To produce works of international caliber, various types of infrastructure are needed," and explained, "The Korea National Opera primarily performs at the Seoul Arts Center in order to collaborate with the National Chorus of Korea and the Korean National Symphony Orchestra."

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