The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST) is set to prioritize support for youth, vulnerable groups, industries, and regions in its new cultural, sports, and tourism policies for 2024. Specifically targeting young individuals (aged 19), MCST will provide support through the “Cultural Arts Pass” to alleviate the financial burden of leisure activities and open doors for young individuals to unleash their creative capabilities through entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in the cultural and artistic fields. In addition, to broaden cultural enjoyment opportunities for vulnerable groups, the support amount from the Integrated Cultural Vouchers (Culture Nuri Card) will be increased (from an annual amount of KRW 110,000 to KRW 130,000 per person).

Youth Support: Introducing ”Cultural Arts Pass” for Youth and Expanding Support for Entrepreneurship Utilizing Traditional Culture

Starting in 2024, MCST will pilot the “Cultural Arts Pass,” targeting 160,000 young individuals (19 years old). Through the “Cultural Arts Pass,” they can freely enjoy pure arts (performances and exhibitions) with a maximum limit of KRW 150,000 per year. This initiative is expected to alleviate their economic burden while simultaneously generating new demand in the cultural and artistic scenes. In addition, by March 2024, with the full implementation of certain amendments to the “Game Industry Promotion Act,” the mandatory disclosure of information for random reward items in popular youth games will be enforced. This will ensure transparency, allowing game users to receive clear probability information before purchasing such items and protecting them against false probability representation and similar issues.

In the culture and arts field, support for youth entrepreneurship is also being expanded. The target of said support, through the “Today’s Traditional Entrepreneurship” initiative, is being extended from initial start-up companies (1 to 3 years after establishment, up to KRW 100 million for a maximum of 1 year) to growth–stage companies (4 to 7 years after establishment, up to KRW 140 million for a maximum of 2 years). Tailored entrepreneurship support services, including education, counseling (mentoring), promotion, market development, and investment attraction, will be provided through professional entrepreneurship planners. Opportunities for young artists to perform on public stages are also being expanded. The number of participants in the national arts organizations youth education program, which was limited to 95 in 2023, will increase to 295 in 2024. In addition, support will be provided for activity funds, specialized education and counseling (mentoring), and opportunities to participate in regional performances organized by national arts organizations.

Vulnerable Groups: Expanding Support for ”Culture Nuri Card,” ”Sports Course Pass,” etc.

In 2024, MCST will expand cultural enjoyment opportunities for vulnerable groups by increasing the annual support for the “Culture Nuri Card” from KRW 110,000 to KRW 130,000 per person for basic livelihood support recipients and those in the near-low-income class (ages 6 and above). This marks the largest increase since 2017. The “Culture Nuri Card” can be obtained through local community centers, phone (ARS 1544-3412), and the government’s online portal (www.gov.kr). It can be used for various leisure activities, such as books, movies, tourism, and sports. The policy also extends to enhancing the convenience of travel for tourism-vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and the elderly. Efforts include expanding the implementation of a new project to strengthen accessibility in barrier-free tourism, designating one new area (formerly known as Barrier-Free Tourism Cities), and developing an additional 30 more accessible tourism sites, including Beopjusa Temple (Boeun-gun) and Samaksan Mountain cable car (Chuncheon City). This brings the total to 162 sites and ensures uninterrupted tourism activities for vulnerable groups.

To alleviate the burden of sports activities for low-income families, infants, children, and people with disabilities, MCST plans to strengthen economic support. In 2023, monthly support of KRW 95,000 was provided for sports lesson passes to low-income infants and children (92,000 individuals) and people with disabilities (14,000 individuals). In 2024, the support amount and the number of beneficiaries will be expanded, with infants and children (120,000 individuals) receiving KRW 100,000 per month, and people with disabilities (20,000 individuals) receiving KRW 110,000 per month. This significant increase in the number of beneficiaries is expected to reduce the burden on vulnerable groups facing difficulties in sports activities. In addition, the “Storytelling Grandmother” program, where elderly women share traditional stories in childcare institutions (such as kindergartens), has expanded its scope in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The program, initially implemented as a pilot in 32 schools in the second half of 2023, will be significantly expanded to 100 schools in 2024. This expansion aims to provide our children with opportunities for character development and offer the elderly opportunities to engage in cultural and artistic activities as storytellers.

Industry Support: Content Policy Finance of KRW 1.74 Trillion, Expanding Tax Deductions for Video Content Production Costs and More

MCST is newly promoting the creation of a “Strategic Fund” without investment target restrictions to strengthen the global position of K-content. Through a joint venture between the government and private content companies, a fund of KRW 600 billion will be established to support large-scale content production targeting the global market. In addition, investments in K-content funds, including contributions to video–specialized investment associations (increased from KRW 8 billion to KRW 25 billion), have been expanded (from KRW 198 billion to KRW 340 billion), supplying policy finance totaling KRW 1.74 trillion to the domestic content market in 2024. This is expected to provide relief to the financial challenges faced by the content industry. Moreover, the scale of tax deductions provided to companies producing video content will be significantly increased to global standards. Starting in 2024, the planned adjustments include raising the deduction rates for large enterprises to a maximum of 15%, medium-sized enterprises to 20%, and small and medium-sized enterprises to 30%, contrasting with the previous rates of 3%, 7%, and 10%, respectively. This adjustment is aligned with the tax deduction levels in other advanced countries like the United States and France (20%–25%), bringing vitality to the content industry as it competes in the global market.

In addition, MCST is enhancing the frontline base for corporate overseas expansion, encouraging public–private collaboration at the forefront of exports. Additional “Content Business Centers,” providing local support for content exports, will be established in 10 other countries, including Argentina and Türkiye (increasing from 15 to 25 centers). Through tailored legal and regulatory support, market information provision, and business connections for domestic companies, it aims to assist closely in the exploration of overseas markets. Particularly in Tokyo, Japan, where Korean content companies frequently enter, a Content Company Support Center will be established to aid in local incorporation and investment attraction and alleviate local leasing costs.

Policies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of tourism companies are also being expanded. Through initiatives such as the “Tourism Company Innovation Voucher Support” program, which facilitates the introduction of advanced technologies like big data and robots and supports the digital transformation of companies, the government seeks to assist the innovation of 150 tourism companies. In addition, the overseas tourism company support centers, following those in Singapore and Tokyo, will have one more center to further stimulate the global growth of domestic companies further. The Tourism Industry Development Fund will be expanded to a size of KRW 400 billion, concentrating investments on early-stage start-ups and tourism venture enterprises.

Regional Development: Expansion of “Traveling Month” and Extension of Digital Tourism Resident Card to More Areas

MCST is actively responding to the threat of regional imbalance by revitalizing local tourism and providing diverse cultural programs, aligning with the declaration of the “Era of Local Autonomy” under the government of President YOON Suk Yeol.

Expanding the annual “Traveling Month,” previously held once in June, to twice a year, the government will provide various discounts and content to encourage citizens to travel within regions. The development of bicycle tourism courses and the completion of the Korea Dulle Trail (an ultra-long walking trail) guide system will be undertaken to offer a fusion of walking tours and bicycle tourism. The “Duru Nubi” online platform for walking tours will also offer guide services in Korean and English. Following the success of the “Digital Tourism Resident Card” issuance in 15 regions last year, the program will expand to operate in up to 40 regions in 2024, including prominent areas like Pyeongchang, Gangwon and Okcheon, Chungbuk. This initiative aims to boost domestic tourism and foster an increase in the population in regions facing demographic decline.

Expanding cultural enjoyment opportunities for local residents, MCST is introducing the “Every Nook and Cranny Culture Delivery” project (newly allocated budget of KRW 6.15 billion) in rural areas, innovation cities, cultural districts, and more. This initiative aims to reflect regional demand and characteristics through the planning of cultural and artistic programs. It also supports the activation of performances and festivals for local representative brands. By establishing this project, MCST aims to guarantee year-round cultural and artistic enjoyment opportunities, including in culturally vulnerable areas, and will be coordinated with the existing “Culture Day” (last Wednesday of every month).

Minister YU stated, “The goal of the Ministry in 2024 is to reduce the burden on the people who enjoy culture, stimulate the economy through culture, and create an environment where people can stay in regions through culture.” He further emphasized, “We will make efforts to smoothly implement the policy changes this year so that the entire nation can enjoy a culturally rich year.”