President Lee Jae Myung on Oct. 1 takes a photo at the appointment ceremony for members of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Province. From left are Park Jin-young, CEO of JYP Entertainment and the committee's co-chair, President Lee, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young, another chair of the body. (Office of the President)
By Lee Jihae
The official launch of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange on Oct. 1 was attended by its two co-chairs: Park Jin-young, founder and chief producer of JYP Entertainment, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young.
As a presidential advisory body to make Korea a global cultural power, the committee sets national goals for policy toward pop culture exchange and strengthens private-public cooperation for pop culture's sustainable expansion.
At the launching ceremony that day at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Province, President Lee Jae Myung said, "The Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange is a private-public 'one team' platform that combines the policy capacities of several government branches and utilizes the private sector's creativity and professionalism."
"The committee will strictly abide by the principle of support but no interference to ensure that autonomy and creativity can be fully exercised in the field."
When co-chair Park explained that a cheering stick is not just an object but the most important factor in making K-pop fans part of a performance, President Lee immediately dubbed the concept "fan sovereignty."
The committee's members from government include vice ministers from 10 relevant ministries and the senior presidential secretary for social affairs. The 26 civilian representatives are assigned to seven subcommittees for pop music, gaming, webtoon and animation, movies and videos, lifestyle, investment and policy including the CEOs of Hallyu (Korean Wave) management giants Hybe, SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment.
jihlee08@korea.kr