By Lee Dasom

From next month, Culture Day, which has been observed in the final week of every month, will be expanded to every week.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on March 3 said the Cabinet passed an amendment to an enforcement ordinance of the Basic Culture Act to that effect.

Launched in 2014, Culture Day offers benefits such as discounts on admission and events to public and private cultural organizations to expand opportunities for the public to enjoy culture. The participation rate jumped from 28.4% early in the program to 66.3% in 2024, attesting to the event's rise as a leading brand of cultural experience.

Under the amendment, the ministry will shift the participation model for private culture and arts institutions to a voluntary system. For existing cultural benefits, each body will get backing for its autonomous planning of discounts, events and programs customized to its individual circumstances.

Cultural benefits offered by public and national cultural institutions will also be widened. Each institution will offer special Wednesday events to expand opportunities to enjoy culture in everyday life.

Select local governments will introduce programs featuring cultural assets unique to a region like Hanok (traditional houses), nongak (traditional farmers' percussion music) and craft workshops.

Kim Yong-sup, director-general of the ministry's Regional Culture Policy Bureau said,

"Driven by the leading role of public organizations and the voluntary participation of the private sector, our ministry will do all it can to deeply embed culture into the people's daily lives and contribute to further improving quality of life."

dlektha0319@korea.kr