The government will establish a fund worth 600 billion won in the content industry this year to attract domestic and foreign investment. It will also establish cultural policies in response to artificial intelligence (AI) and implement them.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the '2025 Major Work Promotion Plan' on the 10th at the Government Seoul Building.
The ministry has a policy to expedite approximately 69% of this year’s budget in the first half for rapid policy establishment and implementation.
The ministry presented a blueprint to foster the content, tourism, and sports industries to drive economic growth and exports. Regarding the content industry, it plans to operate a K-content and media fund worth 500 billion won to attract large-scale domestic investments, and establish a 'Global League Fund' worth 100 billion won to secure foreign investments.
Additionally, to support the export of the content industry, it will increase the number of overseas business centers from 25 to 30.
In the tourism sector, the focus will be on recovering the inbound market by providing safety information using 'Tourist Guide 1330' and alleviating concerns of foreign tourists through overseas marketing.
To enhance the convenience of entry for foreign tourists, exemptions from the electronic travel authorization system (K-ETA) for some countries and the waiver of visa issuance fees for group tourists will be extended until December this year.
To foster the AI content industry, the 'AI Era Content Industry Future Strategy' (2025–2035) will be established. In order to protect creators, the ministry plans to push for the revision of the Copyright Act and the establishment of the Publicity Rights Act, and to create regulations for public disclosure of AI training data to establish an AI copyright system.
The ministry also plans to actively promote AI utilization projects such as the development of Korean-style AI (12.4 billion won) and the establishment of domestic and international news analysis systems (4.74 billion won).
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization, memorandums of cooperation in cultural, sports, and creative industries will be signed to enhance cultural exchange through exhibitions and performances between the two countries. A 'High-Level Cultural Dialogue' will be promoted under the theme of 'Vision and Role of Creative Industries in the Digital Age' in conjunction with the APEC summit held in Gyeongju in October and November.
In response to the increased uncertainty due to the effects of the state of emergency and the economic downturn, special support for small business owners and small enterprises in the cultural industry will also be provided. A special loan of 50 billion won will be implemented for the affected tourism businesses, along with financial support such as loans for tourism companies (536.5 billion won), interest compensation (100 billion won), and credit guarantees (70 billion won).
To promote the international dissemination of Korean literature, the establishment of a translation graduate school will be pursued. Additionally, to enhance the global dissemination of K-Art, creative spaces such as Namsan Performing Arts Belt, Danginri Cultural Creation Development Center, and Korean Literature Museum will be developed, and sector-specific festivals like 'Korea is Performing' and 'Korea Art Festival' will be hosted.
In response to the demand for Korean language learning, new designations for Sejong Institutes and the establishment of a Sejong Institute in Chile as a South American base will be pursued. The pilot introduction of 'Korean Language Teacher 2.0,' which utilizes digital teaching materials, will also be carried out.
Minister Yu In-chon noted, 'Despite the difficult circumstances, this year we will strive to push forward policies in culture, sports, and tourism so that all citizens can enjoy culture in their daily lives and the economy can recover quickly.'