New Korean culture minister outlines plan for term on his first day

Yu In-chon, the newly-appointed Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, speaks during his inauguration at the Sejong government complex on Monday. [YONHAP]

Yu In-chon, the newly-appointed Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, began his first day in office at the Sejong government complex on Monday.

An inauguration ceremony was held the same day, in which he gave a speech addressing his plans for his second term, after serving during the Lee Myung-bak administration from February 2008 to January 2011.

Yu is also a veteran actor who has starred in a plethora of television series, films and plays since his debut through the play “Othello” in 1971.

New culture minister

Yu mentioned five items on his agenda that he hopes to achieve during his term.

First, he promised to protect and promote artists in their creative activities by sponsoring workplaces or performance halls, to create an environment that allows them to “work as much as they would like.”

The next item on the agenda, which is to support underdeveloped regions to “reduce cultural differences,” stems from his regret in failing to make a “groundbreaking” improvement during his previous term. Yu said that it is his goal to see more people enjoy exhibitions, performances and festivals nationwide.

Establishing “innovative and pre-emptive” measures to bolster K-content in the international market by altering unnecessary rules to fit the global standard and providing solutions to copyright issues is another motion that Yu stressed.

Yu said it was also important to invigorate the training environment for athletes to end “outdated practices” in the sports sector and said he would make sure the upcoming 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics is held successfully.

The last item is fostering the tourism industry by implementing unique tourism packages and marketing strategies associated with K-culture.

Yu asked for “trust” during his term. “I’m someone who doesn’t care for formalities. If there are any issues, please knock on my door, call me or text me anytime.”

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]