[2021 National Audit] Hanbok Support Budget Increases, Manufacturing and Distribution Sales Decrease

Im Ok-kyung: "Incentives Such as Discounts on Culture and Arts Should Be Provided for Wearing Hanbok"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 21st, Im Oh-kyung, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee from the Democratic Party, attended the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's audit session wearing a hanbok. This was to promote Hanbok Day (the 21st). She revealed the results of a survey of 605 citizens, stating, "Despite the government's increased budget and various promotion policies related to hanbok, public awareness remains low." According to the survey, 47.4% of respondents were completely unaware of Hanbok Day.

Over the past five years, the budget for fostering the hanbok sector has been 23.2 billion KRW. Although this amount has tripled, sales in the domestic hanbok manufacturing and distribution industries have decreased by 54% and 25%, respectively. Representative Im stated, "The hanbok ecosystem has darkened," and emphasized, "We need to enact the Hanbok Industry Promotion Act to reignite the ecosystem." She also proposed, "We should provide incentives such as cultural and artistic discounts to citizens who wear hanbok and hold various events like a National Assembly hanbok fashion show to encourage participation in preserving our heritage." In response, Minister Hwang Hee of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism expressed agreement, saying, "The best way is for us to wear hanbok more often and raise awareness that it is Korea's traditional attire."