South Korea has implemented a comprehensive strategy to strengthen its arts ecosystem, anchoring cultural development as a key component of national growth. Since 2015, the government has increased systematic investment in the sector through the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, whose budget rose from 4.87 trillion won (approximately RM14.7 billion) to over nine trillion won (RM27 billion). Around 40% of this budget is allocated specifically to culture and arts programmes, reflecting South Korea’s ambition to position itself as a “cultural powerhouse.”
Sue R. Lee, head of the visual arts division at the Korea Arts Management Service (KAMS), noted that cultural policy often requires long-term commitment, as artistic development and recognition take years to mature. This perspective acknowledges the challenges facing arts administrators worldwide, who must balance the demand for immediate results with the slow, organic growth of artists and institutions.
One notable policy initiative is the expansion of the Youth Culture Pass, initially launched in 2024 for 19-year-olds. Starting in 2027, this programme will extend to individuals aged 19 to 34 and transition from a one-time credit to an annual allowance—100,000 won (RM300) per person in the capital region and 150,000 won (RM450) elsewhere. The goal is to foster wider participation in cultural activities over the longer term.
South Korea’s approach involves actively supporting commercial galleries alongside public institutions. Since 2019, the government has provided 15 million won (RM45,000) grants to private galleries signing exclusive agreements with emerging artists, alongside additional funding for debut exhibitions and marketing efforts. This model has benefited over 1,000 artists and facilitated sales exceeding 17.1 billion won (RM5.1 million). The program aims to professionalize the sector by encouraging formal contracts and fostering sustained partnerships between galleries and artists.
Additionally, South Korea is preparing to launch an integrated art information platform in 2028. This online portal will offer transaction data, pricing information in English, and an artist database to increase transparency in the art market and assist buyers. It will also lay the groundwork for implementing an Artist’s Resale Right, a mechanism ensuring creators receive payments when their work is resold—currently absent in nearby markets like Singapore.
Further efforts include financial support for galleries participating in international art fairs and subsidies for distributing Korean art publications overseas. These export-oriented policies reflect South Korea’s ambition to elevate its global cultural profile.
Since 2014, the number of galleries nationwide has more than doubled, reaching 900, while the domestic art market value has expanded from 400 billion won (RM1.2 billion) to 800 billion won (RM2.4 billion). The country’s global cultural influence continues to grow, exemplified by milestones such as Minjeong An becoming the youngest South Korean artist added to the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection in New York in 2025.
South Korean officials emphasize that nurturing the arts is both a cultural and economic investment, enhancing the country’s diversity and creativity on the world stage while strengthening international interest and understanding. This integrated, long-term approach positions the arts as a critical element of South Korea’s national identity and soft power projection.