The Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange officially launched on October 1, with top executives from HYBE, SM Entertainment, and YG Entertainment joining as private-sector members.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the establishment of the committee, which will be co-chaired by Minister Choi Hwi Young and singer-producer J.Y. Park.
As an advisory body under the president, the committee aims to strengthen public-private collaboration to sustain the global growth of K-pop and broader Korean popular culture. A total of 26 civilian experts have been appointed to the committee, which will be divided into seven sectors: popular music, gaming, webtoons and animation, film and video, lifestyle, investment, and policy.
In the popular music division, notable members include Jang Cheol Hyuk, CEO of SM Entertainment; Lee Jae Sang, CEO of HYBE; Yang Min Seok, CEO of YG Entertainment; and Jung Wook, CEO of JYP Entertainment.
In addition, the ministry will also operate the Cultural and Arts Policy Advisory Committee, which will bring together about 90 experts across nine fields, including theater and musicals, classical music, traditional Korean music, dance, literature, fine arts, publishing, and web novels.
Minister Choi highlighted the strategic importance of the two committees, saying, “The Popular Culture Exchange Committee and the Cultural and Arts Policy Advisory Committee will serve as two wings driving the realization of a 300-trillion-KRW (about 230.77 billion USD) K-culture industry and the vision of Korea as a cultural powerhouse.”
He added, “Through these committees, we will ensure comprehensive policy consultation and communication across all cultural and artistic sectors, leaving no field overlooked.”
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