Dongguk University WISE Campus hosts K-Glocal Culture Forum at World Gyeongju Forum 2026

Dongguk University WISE Campus held the K-Glocal Culture Forum on Friday at Room 203 on the second floor of the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center as part of the World Gyeongju Forum 2026.

Organized by Dongguk University WISE Campus under the theme "The Future of K-Culture Created by Youth: New Opportunities in the Cultural Creative Industry and Local Communities," the forum drew about 60 participants, including policy officials in the culture, tourism and arts sectors, local cultural artists, university faculty and students.

The opening ceremony began with remarks by Dongguk University WISE Campus President Ryu Wan-ha, followed by congratulatory speeches from Gyeongju City Council Speaker Im Hwal and North Gyeongsang Province Assembly member Bae Jin-seok.

The keynote address was delivered by Kim Su-min, a theater and performance director and advisory committee member of the K-Glocal Culture Forum at Dongguk University WISE Campus, on the topic "Global Expansion Through the K-Hallyu Cultural Creative Industry: A Focus on Japan."

Thematic presentations covered three areas — industry, policy and education. Bae Bo-chan, former chief executive of Nol Universe Co., examined the growth potential of cultural tourism under the theme "Change the Game by Playing in the Ancient Capital: New Opportunities in Cultural Tourism in the K-Tourism Era."

Yang Hye-won, head of the cultural research division at the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, discussed policy priorities for revitalizing the cultural creative industry and supporting local artists.

Kang Jong-im, director of the educational innovation office at Dongguk University WISE Campus, introduced the university's vision for cultivating future talent at regional universities. The presentation drew on results from a fully revamped 157-module curriculum introduced in the 2026 academic year, centering on K-culture and AI applications.

A panel discussion followed, moderated by Dongguk University WISE Campus Professor Kim Nam-hyeon, who led a conversation connecting the presentations to on-the-ground challenges in local communities under the same overarching theme.

Gyeongju City Council member Kim Gyeong-ju, Gyeongju Theater Association branch head Jo Yeong-seok and Dongguk University WISE Campus special appointment professor Park Mun-hui took part as panelists.

"Dongguk University WISE Campus will serve as a regional anchor university that leads local growth through glocal specialization — nurturing talent together with the community to open the future," President Ryu said.

The World Gyeongju Forum 2026 is a global cultural forum hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and co-organized by the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, North Gyeongsang Province and Gyeongju city, building on the outcomes of the 2025 Gyeongju APEC Summit and its high-level dialogue on the cultural creative industry.