President Lee Jae Myung announced on September 9 the establishment of the Presidential Commission on Pop Culture Exchange, a new body tasked with promoting cultural exchange and global engagement in popular culture.
The commission will be co-chaired by J.Y. Park (Park Jin Young), founder and executive producer of JYP Entertainment, alongside Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi Young. Both will serve in minister-level positions.
Kang Hoon Sik, Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office, briefed reporters at Yongsan, unveiling the appointments.
Introducing Park, Kang described him as "one of Korea’s most renowned singers who has worked tirelessly for the globalization of K-pop." He added, "This commission will help people around the world enjoy Korean pop culture more widely, while allowing Koreans to embrace diverse global cultures, ultimately strengthening Korea’s identity as a cultural hub."
Following the announcement, Park issued a personal message reflecting on his new role:
Assuming the Role at the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange
"Hello, this is J.Y. Park.
As you may have seen in the news, I have been appointed to serve at the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, a newly established body under the President’s direct authority.
Taking on a government role is a tremendous responsibility, and as someone from the entertainment industry, I hesitated for a long time due to the many challenges and concerns it entails. However, I ultimately decided to accept this position because I believe that K-pop is now facing a truly unique opportunity, one that must be seized and nurtured.
When I first went to the United States in 2003, knocking on the doors of American record labels with nothing but promotional materials for our artists, when the Wonder Girls became the first Korean act to enter the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009, and even now, my dream has always remained the same: for K-pop to be loved around the world.
Through this new role, I hope to organize and address the areas where institutional support is most needed, ensuring that meaningful measures are put in place. I will work hard so that future artists can gain even greater opportunities. More than that, I will dedicate myself to helping K-pop take another leap forward, not only to spread our culture but also to create a stage where people around the world can connect, understand one another, and share in cultural exchange.
Because this decision comes after much thought, I sincerely ask for your advice and encouragement. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi Young, who agreed to take on this role alongside me. Thanks to his support, I found the courage to step forward."
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