The 3rd Supplementary Budget Confirms 346.9 Billion KRW for Expanding Jobs in Culture and Arts

Budget for Ministry of Culture Increased by 7 Billion Won
Additional Inclusion of Film Industry Job Training Support and Video·Broadcast Content Production Support Projects

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 3rd that the third supplementary budget for this year has been finalized at 346.9 billion KRW. This is 7 billion KRW more than the 339.9 billion KRW supplementary budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly on June 3. The government budget proposal, which included jobs, discount consumption coupons, and the Korean New Deal projects, was passed, and additional projects for job training and employment in the film and broadcasting sectors were added through the National Assembly's review. The budget restructuring to secure supplementary budget resources was passed as per the government budget proposal (188.3 billion KRW).

◆ 132.7 billion KRW for expanding jobs in culture, arts, tourism, and film sectors= To overcome the employment crisis caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), jobs in the culture, arts, tourism, and film sectors will be expanded. The 'Performing Arts Workforce Support' project (28.8 billion KRW) dispatches support personnel to major cultural and artistic organizations. Projects to support quarantine personnel at major tourist sites (35.4 billion KRW) and small-scale performance venues (3.1 billion KRW) will be promoted. Additionally, jobs will be created to digitize collections in various fields such as arts (3.3 billion KRW) and animation (3.9 billion KRW) in response to non-face-to-face and online culture.

During the National Assembly's review of the supplementary budget, projects for jobs in the film and broadcasting sectors were also additionally reflected. To support on-site film workers who are in short-term unemployment due to COVID-19, the 'On-site Film Workers Job Training Support' (1 billion KRW) will provide job retraining. The new media video content production support project using professionals in the film and broadcasting sectors (3.5 billion KRW each) will support the affected industry.

◆ 214.2 billion KRW for discount consumption coupons and economic stimulus projects= The discount consumption coupon project (71.6 billion KRW) covering six major sectors including performances, exhibitions, films, accommodations, tourism, and sports facilities will also be promoted. Through sector-specific discount consumption coupons, the culture, sports, and tourism industries affected by COVID-19 will be supported, and recovery of cultural demand in the second half of the year will be encouraged. Opportunities for artistic creation will be provided to artists and groups whose activities were suspended due to COVID-19. However, thorough quarantine measures will be implemented in consultation with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters during the project implementation, and the timing of implementation will be adjusted according to the COVID-19 situation.

In addition, support for online media art activities (14.9 billion KRW), eco-friendly restructuring of national sports centers (39.3 billion KRW), public art projects (75.9 billion KRW), and sports industry loan support (20 billion KRW) were also confirmed through the National Assembly's review.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, "Discount consumption coupons are projects that directly support the public to enjoy culture and leisure," and added, "We will carefully consider the timing and methods of project implementation under a thorough quarantine system so that the public can continue 'safe cultural life,' and will continuously monitor the progress of the projects."