Kocis to shut down, Korea promotion to be handled by Culture Ministry

Culture Minister Yu In-chon, center, speaks during the meeting of government institutions affiliated with his ministry at the government complex in Sejong on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

The Korean Culture and Information Service, or Kocis, which has been operating over the past 50 years as the country’s only national public relations agency responsible for promoting Korea abroad, will be shutting down as part of Culture Minister Yu In-chon’s restructuring plan.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will instead establish a new office within the ministry to take over the work of the Kocis.

The decision was made during a meeting Wednesday to revise the regulations governing the ministry and its affiliates. The Culture Ministry said it is necessary to integrate the functions currently handled by Kocis in order to strengthen its role in handling promotion activities overseas.

Giving a week's notice of the change, the revised legislation will take effect on Jan. 24.

Kocis celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. It was established on Dec. 31, 1971, as an agency under the Culture Ministry. The agency has been operating Korean culture centers around the world. The Culture Ministry also has two divisions tasked with relevant responsibilities.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]