Culture minister calls youth culture pass 'core priority' for next year's budget

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young has identified the introduction of a tentatively named "Youth Culture and Sports Pass" as a "core priority" in the government's budget proposal.

In a Facebook post Sunday titled "I will work to ensure the voices from the arts and culture field are reflected in next year's budget," Choi described the pass as "a system designed to expand cultural access for economically vulnerable young people and help youth grow into active participants in cultural life."

"Starting next year, all young people between the ages of 19 and 34 will receive an annual subsidy — 100,000 won ($75) for those living in the Greater Seoul area and 150,000 won for those outside it — which can be used for performances, exhibitions, films, books and sports events," Choi said. Choi added that the budget also "strengthens support for the creation and production of works across arts and culture, helps artists take the stage more often, and carefully incorporates a range of tailored projects to narrow the cultural gap between regions."

Choi said full-scale National Assembly deliberations on next year's budget will begin the following week, and that "the area where the most effort was put into the budget proposal is building a social safety net for artists."

"We have dramatically expanded the related budget from 34.5 billion won ($25.8 million) this year to 96.6 billion won next year so that freelance artists can enjoy a solid safety net on par with regular employees," Choi said. "Specifically, the number of people eligible for industrial accident insurance premium support will increase sharply from 4,400 this year to 39,000, and the premium support rate will also rise from 50 percent to the full amount — 100 percent."

Choi said the budget also expands the pool of artists eligible for national pension support and comprehensive health screenings, and increases funding for artists' livelihood stabilization loans and jeonse housing loans.

"We have also prepared a budget to further accelerate the global spread of K-culture, which continues to captivate the world," Choi said. "Using the urgent voices from the field conveyed by the Culture and Arts Policy Advisory Committee as our compass, I will do my utmost until the end to ensure that next year's budget — one that is truly necessary for our artists, creators and all citizens — passes the National Assembly."