Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Gov’t expands 'Culture Day' to every Wednesday to boost public access
People wait in line to enter the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, Feb. 18. Newsis
By Baek Byung-yeul
Korea is expanding its “Culture Day” program from once a month to every Wednesday starting April 1 to encourage more people to enjoy cultural activities in their daily lives, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday.
First launched in 2014, the Culture Day is a national welfare program that provides various benefits and discounts on cultural activities. The expansion of this program was legally finalized following the approval of an amendment during a Cabinet meeting last month.
To ensure the success of this transition, the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday with 11 major organizations representing the cultural and economic sectors in Seoul.
The partnership includes the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Federation of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and various associations for museums, libraries and performing arts.
Under the new initiative, the government aims to move beyond a state-led model and establish a sustainable cultural ecosystem through private sector cooperation.
Participating institutions will offer discounted admission to exhibitions and performances, extend opening hours for museums and libraries and organize special community programs such as late-night bookstores.
"Collaboration with private institutions is the key to successfully establishing the weekly Culture Day," Vice Minister Kim Young-soo said.
"As organizations from both the arts and economic sectors have joined forces, we will expand our support so that anyone can enjoy a variety of cultural activities every Wednesday without financial burden."
Major national art institutions will lead the initiative by adding specialized content to their existing benefits.
The National Museum of Korea will host curator talks while the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea will offer educational programs linked to its Damien Hirst exhibition, which will be held from Friday to June 28.
Performing arts venues like the National Theater of Korea and Jeongdong Theater also plan to offer discounts of 20 to 30 percent on selected productions.
The private sector is also showing strong support for the move. The Korea Musical Theatre Association, representing major production companies like CJ ENM and Seensee Company, will provide ticket discounts and special deals for remaining seats on the day of performances. Professional sports leagues, including volleyball and basketball, are also preparing to introduce admission discounts starting next season.
In response to digital trends, the ministry is launching Digital Culture Day in partnership with Kyobo Book Centre. Starting this April, the platform will offer a 50-percent discount on e-book rentals for a selected popular title every Wednesday along with cashback rewards.
Economic organizations will also promote the campaign to their member companies to encourage a corporate culture that values midweek leisure.