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Culture minister says BTS’ Gwanghwamun concert will showcase Korea to world
Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
By Kim Se-jeong
Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said BTS’ upcoming concert in Seoul will be a major opportunity to promote Korea and its culture to the world, pledging full government support to ensure the event is both successful and safe.
“We see this as a prime opportunity to showcase Korea’s traditional culture as well as the very essence of the country to the world. That’s why the ministry has been closely consulting with the BTS team to make the concert successful and safe,” Chae said during a press conference, Thursday.
The mega K-pop group's free concert is slated for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul. According to local police, the event could draw as many as 260,000 people to the venue.
“The fact that an artist like BTS is kicking off a new chapter at Gwanghwamun Square, Korea’s most iconic spot, is very meaningful and I feel truly grateful to BTS,” Chae said.
He added that the government will ensure that BTS fans visiting from abroad have a memorable experience during their stay. "As many tourists are expected from overseas, we will make sure their visit is fun and memorable."
K-pop is a key pillar of the Korean wave, also known as hallyu, along with film, dramas, beauty and other cultural products.
The growing popularity of Korean culture has also led to a surge in foreign visitors to Korea. The number of international tourists is projected to reach 30 million by 2028.
Reflecting on his first six months in office, Chae said he has been repeatedly reminded of the global influence of Korean culture.
“I was in Milan last week for the 2026 Winter Olympics and visited the Korea House,” he said, referring to a promotion venue at the Games that showcases Korean culture and travel experiences.
“At the opening ceremony, many guests showed up and I thought that was impressive. But when I returned the next day, there was a huge queue of people waiting outside. Inside, every corner was packed — it totally shocked me. When I handed out food, people greeted me in Korean even before I greeted them in Italian. It was an incredibly inspiring experience.”
Chae noted that the Korean government has never been more committed to promoting Korean culture and tourism. This year’s budget for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is about 7.8 trillion won ($5.4 billion), an increase of more than 11 percent from last year.
Another example of the government’s efforts is the launch of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange last year with Park Jin-young, singer and founder of JYP Entertainment, serving as co-chair. The committee engages in dialogue with industry leaders to sustain and expand the global popularity of Korean culture.