Minister Choi Hwiyoung Emphasizes Importance of Daily Sports Environment for Region-Led Growth

"To achieve region-led growth, it is essential to create an environment where people want to stay in local areas. For this, a foundation of health and culture that enhances quality of life, along with high-quality sports facilities and programs for daily physical activity, are crucial."

On April 24, Choi Hwiyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized the importance of a vibrant environment for daily sports as a key to realizing the government’s national agenda of region-led growth. He made these remarks at a meeting of city and provincial sports council chairpersons held at Ice Square Hotel in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do.

This meeting was convened to discuss ways to vitalize daily sports and address current issues facing local sports councils. Approximately 20 people attended, including Yu Seungmin, President of the Korea Sports Council, and chairpersons from 17 city and provincial sports councils.

Choi Huieyoung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is speaking at the meeting of city and provincial sports council presidents held on the 24th at the Ice Square Hotel in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

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The city and provincial sports council chairpersons acknowledged the government’s commitment to supporting sports policies, but also expressed frustration that structural factors are preventing effective support from being delivered.

Kang Taeseon, Chairman of the Seoul Sports Council, pointed out that even though it has been 10 years since the Korea Council of Sport for All was integrated into the Korea Sports Council, policies remain heavily focused on elite sports. The Korea Sports Council merged with the Korea Council of Sport for All in 2016. Until the integration, the Korea Sports Council was responsible for national teams and elite sports, while the Korea Council of Sport for All handled policies for public participation in daily sports. The purpose of merging the dual structure was to increase efficiency, but there are still complaints on the ground that support is centered on elite sports. Chairman Kang said, "About 87% of the Seoul Sports Council’s budget comes from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, while only 7-8% is provided through the Korea Sports Council," adding, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s policy is still operated with a focus on elite sports." There was also concern that, given the current structure where local government funding accounts for a high proportion of the budget, a lack of commitment from local government heads makes it difficult to properly implement sports policies.

Minister Choi expressed his understanding, saying, "This is the most frustrating part." He continued, "The Ministry of Economy and Finance says that, as these are projects transferred to local governments, it is difficult to provide national funding. On the other hand, local governments often do not prioritize sports policies, resulting in cases where these policies disappear altogether. If the city and provincial sports councils provide essential policy recommendations, I will work to ensure they are reflected in government policy."

Kim Cheolwook, Chairman of the Ulsan Sports Council, stressed the need for local governments’ efforts to stabilize local sports councils to be included in the evaluation indicators for municipalities. Chairman Kim said, "If stabilization of local sports councils is included in the joint evaluation conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, interest in and support for local sports councils by municipalities will increase."

Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (fourth from the left in the front row), and Yoo Seung-min, President of the Korean Sports Council (fifth from the left in the front row), are taking a commemorative photo after concluding a meeting with heads of city and provincial sports councils held on the 24th at the Ice Square Hotel in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

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There were also calls for improving the working conditions and status of approximately 2,800 daily sports instructors nationwide, recognizing them as essential public service personnel. Yang Hoigyu, Chairman of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Sports Council, said, "The salary level for a first-year and a 25-year daily sports instructor is the same," emphasizing that "improving their treatment is an urgent issue."

Minister Choi responded, "We recognize the unreasonable situation where length of service is not reflected and the same pay structure is maintained. We are working on measures to address this issue."

Other topics discussed included employment issues for athletes and coaches following the integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, as well as calls to expand subsidies for participation in the National Sports Festival.

Minister Choi stressed, "I believe that daily sports facilities, programs, and the role of sports professionals are more important than ever," adding, "We will strive to secure sufficient budgets and programs in line with the national policy direction."

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