Dynamic Growth of Hallyu

New Culture/Tourism Minister pledges further development in cultural and tourism areas

"We have to extend our friendly hands so that all of us can jointly own Korean culture for dynamic growth of Hallyu and other Korean culture,"said Kim Jong-min, the new Minister of Culture and Tourism.
At his inauguration ceremony held at the Sejong Performing Arts Center in downtown Seoul May 8, he said he will make efforts for the growth of cultural businesses and policies to make people enjoy them.
The minister told reporters following the ceremony that he was so glad to return to the ministry after a decade of absence. He pledged that he will push the policies of the Participatory government of President Roh for their completion since it is the last year for President Roh's tenure of office.
In 1996, Kim was vice minister of culture and tourism before being assigned to become a presidential secretary for administrative affairs at the Presidential Office, Cheong Wa Dae. Then he was named to be president of the Korea Tourism Organization.
Kim said as the new minister, he will look into such areas as culture, arts, sports, and others as key areas of his endeavor, especially the contents area as it has been growing rapidly so that it will grow to be a next growth engine for the country.
The new minister said the cultural area will be exposed to tremendous changes to be brought on by the Free Trade Agreement signed with the U.S., reminding that Korean culture has grown open to foreign culture and became stronger. Sun will not always shine on all sectors all the time, he said, pledging that shaded sectors will be protected with umbrellas extended by the government.
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New Minister of Culture and Tourism Kim Jong-min