Welcome to the website of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.

March 23
Enhanced organization and culture for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism according to the reorganization of government
Change the title from Emergency Planning General to Emergency Security Planning General in order to improve the emergency response system.
Create a Popular Culture Industry Division to facilitate promotion of popular culture.
Discontinue the Digital Content Industry Division as digital content’s functions are transferred to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.
Discontinue the Media Cooperation Division in the Public Communication Office and transfer its function to the Policies & Public Opinions Division and PR & Cooperation Division.
Restructure the Culture & Arts Bureau and divide it into the Culture Policy Bureau and Arts Bureau to enhance the level of expertise in cultural and artistic policy.
Restructure the Planning Group for Library and Information Policy into the Planning Group for Library and Museum Policy and transfer the Culture & Arts Bureau in Culture Policy Bureau to Planning Group for Library and Museum Policy to enhance library policy and museum policy functions.
Rename the Tourism Industry Bureau to R, discontinue S and the Tourism & Leisure City Division and create the Tourism Industry Division and Tourism & Leisure Development Division in order to reorganization functions.
Rename the Conservation Science Team at the National Museum of Art as the Conservation Science Department.
Establish the Planning and Operation Group to enhance policy and planning functions of the National Gukak Institute.
January 24
Create a foundation for the special hiring of part time employees as full time employees and running pregnancy leave and the worker replacement program.
The basis for specially hiring 23 technical public employees as general public employees was established.
Create a quota list for pregnancy leave and the worker replacement program (assign 34 people for special quota).

September 7
Establishment of a new department
Museum Policy Division was established to facilitate systematic growth of public/private museums and enhance the quality of museum policy.
September 5
Renaming of department
Name change to support expanded role of The National Disability Library at The National Library of Korea → The National Library for People with Disability
September 1
Renaming of department
Office for the Establishment of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
→ he National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
May 23
National Gukak Middle/High School, commissioned to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology assumes responsibility for National Gukak High School, Gukak School, Traditional Art High School and Traditional Art School to promote more integrated and specialized education of Gukak and traditional art to contribute to the era of the New Korean Wave in the 21st century.
February 1
Unification of promotion function and modification of international cultural exchange function
Reorganization of Promotion Bureau to expanded Public Communication Bureau to support unification of promotion function.
Transfer of some functions of Overseas Culture Promotion Group to Culture and Art Group for enhanced international cultural exchange function.
January 1
Implementation of Total Labor Cost Policy
General positional upgrade due to implementation of Total Labor Cost Policy, which is designed to facilitate more enhanced human resources management at headquarters and affiliates
(6 class 19 employees → 5 class 19 employees / 7 class 20 employees → 6 class 20 employees)

August 9
Establishment of the grounds for special hiring of technical public employees as general public employees
The basis for specially hiring 40 technical public employees as general public employees was established.
June 16
Establishment of a new department and Adjustment of work allocation between departments
Department of Exhibition & Collections was established and six members assigned to the Office for the Establishment of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History.
Korean language policy functionally consolidated (name of the Korean Language and National Culture Division and Regional Culture Division changed⇒ Korean Language Policy Division, Regional & National Culture Division).
June 7
Increase of human resources (13 employees)
Additional human resources (13 employees) recruited to strengthen the exhibition material collection and exhibition planning functions of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History; strengthen information protection functions such as the prevention of cyber hacking and illegal reproduction of copyrighted material; and for traditional Korean musical instrument research projects.
January 1
Establishment of the grounds for special hiring of technical public employees as general public employees
The basis for specially hiring 40 technical public employees as general public employees was established.

December 8
Establishment of new departments/name-changes
The Online Promotions Division in the Promotions Support Bureau was established to rearrange works process to strengthen online policy promotions.
The Admission Division for Korea National University of Arts was established; Antiquities Department and History Department for Art and Science Office of National Museum of Korea integrated; and art and science research-related works integrated and rearranged.
July 2
Extension of the open position system and establishment of the Culture Policy General
Position of the Public Relations Policy General was abolished and replaced by the position of the Culture Policy General.
The open position system extensively applied to 8 Senior Executive Services and 19 Managers.
The International Culture Section included in the Korean Overseas Culture and Information Service. Increased the number staff at the National Library of Korea to 6.
February 8
Abolition of the National Children’s Museum, and transfer of regular staff of the National Folk Museum
The National Children’s Museum, formerly run by the National Folk Museum of Korea, closed permanently.
Six regular staff members from the Headquarters and five regular staff of the National Folk Museum were transferred to support the services of the National Theater of Korea.
January 1
Establishment of the grounds for special hiring of technical public employees as general public employees
The basis for specially hiring 40 technical public employees as general public was established.

December 29
Transfer of specialists to the Prime Minister's Office for the strengthening of national policy public relations
As the Deputy Minister for Administration Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office is responsible for the management, coordination, and evaluation of national public relations, two staff members of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism were transferred to the Prime Minister's Office.
October 19
Name-change
The Office for the Establishment of the Korea National Exhibition Center renamed the Office for the Establishment of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History.
May 4
Restructuring into a larger bureau/department system
Reorganized into a 2-vice minister, 3-office, 5-bureau, 13-division (unit), 52-department (team), and 11-affiliation organization.
The Culture & Arts Bureau, Media Policy Bureau and Religious Affairs Division were established.
The Office for the Establishment of the Korea National Exhibition Center was established.
The Digital Data Operation Department was established under the National Library of Korea.
The National Children’s Museum was established under the National Folk Museum of Korea.

December 31
Establishment of new departments/name-changes
The Trade Cooperation Team and Leisure Policy Team were established.
October 8
Establishment of a new department
The National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts was established in Busan.
July 3
Crackdown on illegal software
32 staff members responsible for crackdown on illegal software transferred from the Ministry of Knowledge Economy to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
March 6
Establishment of new departments/name-changes
2 Vice Ministers, 3 Offices, 5 Bureaus, 2 special offices (Library Policy Bureau, Office for the Hub-City of Asian Culture), 11 Commissioners, 62 Divisions and 11 subordinate organizations.
PR/government statement on the affairs of the Government Information Agency and operation of digital contents transferred from the Ministry of Information and Communication to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Korean Overseas Culture and Information Service and KTV transferred from the Government Information Agency to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
February 29
Inauguration of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Operation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Government Information Agency and Ministry of Information and Communication(the operation on digital contents) integrated in accordance with the amended Government Organization Law.

September 18
Establishment of the Cultural Industry Commission and Tourism Industry Commission
Finance Operation Division was established.
Multicultural Policy Division was established.
May 25
Establishment of new departments/name-changes
The New Media Industry Division and Cultural Media Bureau were established.
The Copyright Policy Division and Copyright Industry Division separated from the Copyright Division of Cultural Industry Bureau.
Policy Coordination Division changed to the Planning and Coordination Division.
May 2
Establishment of new departments/name-changes
The Promotional Group for Asian Hub City of Culture was established.
The Planning Group for Library and Information Policy was established.

July 25
Establishment of new departments/name-changes (changed from the previous department system to a team system emphasizing outcome and result)
The Legislative Affairs Team and Traditional Arts Team were established.
July 1
Adjustment of the number of regular staff and their positions
A higher ranking public officers’ team system implemented.
April 6
Establishment of new departments/name-changes
The General Affairs Bureau was reorganized as the Administration Assistance Department.
The National Library for Children and Young Adults was established.
January 1
Operation of selected additional organizations responsible for management and operation
National Museum of Contemporary Art

December 15
Establishment of a new department
1 department (Disabled Sports Team)
August 16
Establishment of new departments/name-changes
4 new departments were established: Performance Management Team, Spatial Culture Team, Cultural Technology and Human Resources Team, External Affairs Team.
Copyright management rendered under the jurisdiction of the Cultural Industry Bureau from the Cultural Policies Bureau.
The Education and Culture Interchange was established in the National Museum of Korea.
The Department of Planning was established in the Korean National University of Arts.
Change of name: The Department of Game and Music Industry to the Department of Game Industry, Investment Cooperation Team and Investment Promotion Team.
Jun 8
Adjustment of the class of Finance and Planning Officer's position.
Change from the fourth class to the third class.
April 27
Transfer of 33 regular staff of the Department of Youth to the Youth Committee.
March 31
Establishment of new departments, abolition of certain departments and name-changes
Public Relations Manager was abolished.
Reorganization from Planning and Management Office to Policy Management and Public Relations Office.
The Public Relations Team and Pubic Relations Manager was established.
Change of name: from Budget Manager to Finance and Planning Officer.
The Planning and Development Commission for the Tourism and Leisure City was established and installed the subsidiary teams of Planning and General Management Team, Tourism and Leisure Facility Team, Investment Cooperation Team
March 2
Adjustment and increase in the number of regular staff.
Adjustment of the number of regular staff in each class at the headquarters and subsidiary institutions (the National Museum of Korea and the National Library of Korea).
Increase in the number of document and archive researchers.

Decenber 31
Establishment of new departments and increase of human resources
The Innovation and Personnel Planning Officer and Religious Affairs officer were established.
Increase in the number of fifth-class administration staff.
November 11
Establishment of new departments/name-changes
The Religious Affairs Officer’s position was abolished.
The Department of the Religious Administration was established in the Religious Affairs Office.
New departments were established: International Cultural Cooperation Team and Regional Culture Team in the Cultural Policies Bureau.
The Department of Korean Language Policy was reorganized into the Korean Language and National Culture Team.
Jurisdiction over certain functions of the library and museum transferred to the National Museum of Korea and the National Library of Korea.
New department was established: The Culture and Arts Education Team in the Arts Bureau .
The Performing Arts Team was reorganized into Foundation of Arts Promotion Team .
The Cultural Industry Bureau divided into two divisions: The Cultural Industry Bureau and Cultural Media Bureau.
New departments were established: Cultural Media Industry Promotion Team; Broadcasting and Advertising Team; Publication Industry Team.
New department was established: Sports Leisure Industry Team in Sports Bureau.
Youth-related departments were reorganized: The Youth Support Department and Youth Training Department into the Youth Participation Promotion Team and Youth Culture Team.
Change of name: the National Research Institution of the Korean Language to the National Institution of the Korean Language .

June 27
Adjustment of the formation of the Planning and Management Office, and change of open positions
The Planning and Management Office adjusted.
The Planning and General Management Officer, Budget Manager, Administration and Human Resources Manager redistributed.
April 7
Assignment of two Policy Advisors as the heads of institutions
Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, or one officer in special government services (Second class or third class)
One fourth class officer or an officer in special government services equivalent to the fourth class.
March 12
Promotion of the position of the head of the National Museum of Korea
Arts and Sciences Researcher -> Officials for the State Affairs (equivalent to the Vice Minister’s position)

May 27
Establishment of the Chun-cheon National Museum under the jurisdiction of the National Museum of Korea
One department per main office
March 9
Establishment of new departments/name-changes
The Office of Information Management and the Department of Practical Sports was established.
The Sports Interchange Department renamed the International Sports Department.

May 11
Renaming of departments
The Department of Culture and Products renamed the Department of Culture Contents Promotion.

August 19
Renaming of departments
The Department of Tourism and Facility renamed the Department of Citizen Tourism.
July 1
Establishment of the National Museum of Cheju under the jurisdiction of the National Museum of Korea
One department per main office

May 24
Transfer of the jurisdiction of the International Public Relations and cultural assets related operations
(The State Affair Promotion Bureau and the Culture Heritage Administration)
1 Assistant Minister, 2 Main Offices, 6 Bureaus, 4 commissioners, 27 divisions, 4 officers, 9 subordinate organizations

February 28
Inauguration of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
(Amendment of the Government Organization Law article number 5529)
1 Assistant Minister, 2 Main Offices, 6 Bureaus, 5 commissioners, 29 divisions, 5 officers, 16 subordinate organizations

July 7
Inauguration of the Youth Protection Committee under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture and Sports
Reduction in the number Ministry of Culture and Sports officials since 1997
- The first reduction (March 20 1997): 63 officials
- The second reduction (August 1997): 22 officials

December 23
Removal of some part of the organization and undertaking of operations of the Ministry of Culture and Sports
The Culture and Life Bureau and Sport Promotion Bureau were abolished.
Take over the Tourism Organization’s services of the Department of Transportation.
May 4
Establishment of the Daegu Museum under the jurisdiction of the National Museum of Korea
One department per main office

October 7
Establishment of the Buyeo Museum under the jurisdiction of the National Museum of Korea
One department per main office
March 6
Inauguration of the Ministry of Culture and Sports
(The Presidential Decree of the number 13869, Unification of Ministry of Culture and the Department of the Youth Sports)
1 Assistant Minister, 3 main offices, 7 bureaus, 34 divisions, 12 officers

October 30
Establishment of the Korean National University of Arts
1 main office, 1 bureau, 3 divisions
The Korean National University of Arts was founded.

January 3
Establishment of the Ministry of Culture (Presidential Decree Number 12895)
2 main offices, 4 bureaus, 18 divisions, 11 officers
The executive office of the Art Academy was established.
2 divisions

December 30
Division of the Ministry of Culture and Public Information into two divisions of the Ministry of Culture and the Department of the Public Information (Law, Article number of 4183)
2 main offices, 4 divisions

July 24
Inauguration of the Ministry of Culture and Public Information (Presidential Decree Number 3519)

June 22
Establishment of the Department of the Public Information (Law, Article number of 631, Cabinet Decree Number 21)
(Law, Article number of 353, Presidential Decree Number 1127)
4 divisions (Investigations Bureau, Public Relations Bureau, Cultural Promotions Bureau, Media Management Bureau)

February 9
Abolition of the Office of the Public Information for transfer under the jurisdiction of the President
3 bureaus (Public Relations Bureau, Publicity Bureau, Media Management Bureau)

November 4
Establishment of the Office of Public Information (Presidential Decree Number 15)
1 main office, 4 bureaus (Secretarial Office, Public Relations Bureau, Publication Bureau, The Bureau of Statistics)

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