Korea's culture ministry and business bodies, led by the Federation of Korean Industries, will launch a government-business organization to support the popular culture known here as "hallyu," or the Korean wave, as a means of enhancing businesses' competitive edge, the ministry said Thursday.

Major business organizations, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business and the Korea Federation of Banks, will join with industrial associations that have relationships with the development of hallyu. The related industry bodies include the Korea Cosmetics Association, the Korea Food Industry Association, the Korea Tourism Association and the Korea Association of Information and Telecommunication Promotion.

Experts on the contents industry from government and private research institutes and representatives from the entertainment business will also participate in the council.

The body, tentatively dubbed the "Hallyu Support Council," will hold an inaugural meeting in Seoul Friday and discuss measures to support sustained promotion of hallyu and how to enhance commercial profit by using hallyu in marketing. (Yonhap)