Artists Facing Hardship and High-Interest Loans... Discussing Fair Finance Solutions

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As K-culture expands its global influence, an event will be held to address the issues of financial exclusion and poverty among creators.

The office of Assemblyman Yang Moonseok, a member of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, announced on December 1 that it will host the “From Debt to Light: Artists’ Fair Finance Vision Proclamation & Joint Action Declaration” on December 2 at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose hall of the Roh Moo-hyun Citizen Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, together with the Ssiatpe Steering Committee and the Korea Smart Cooperative Association.

During the event, the following will take place: ▲ Presentation of the vision, mission, and core values of fair finance for artists ▲ Testimonies from artists experiencing financial exclusion ▲ Briefing on policy and financial alternatives and the release of an implementation roadmap ▲ Joint declaration and signing by participants.

Assemblyman Yang, former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jonghwan (Honorary Chairperson of Ssiatpe), and Kim Minwoong, Standing Representative of Candlelight Action, will deliver congratulatory remarks, and Seo Inhyeong, Chairperson of the Korea Smart Cooperative Association, will give the keynote speech. There will also be performances by Jo Kyungok & Kim Changnam and tenor Park Taesu, as well as an open mic for artists.

Chairperson Seo Inhyeong stated, “This proclamation ceremony is the first step in helping artists escape from predatory lending structures and continue their creative work with dignity,” adding, “I hope this will become a platform for solidarity where artists, citizens, and policymakers come together to make ‘finance for artists’ a reality.”

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