Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu: "Cultural Decentralization, an Urgent Task That Can No Longer Be Delayed"

Changwon City Holds Policy Forum on Regional Cultural Decentralization and Strengthening at Kensington Hotel Yeouido, Seoul

On the 1st, a policy discussion forum on "Cultural Decentralization and Strengthening Regional Cultural Competitiveness" hosted by Changwon City, Gyeongnam, was held at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Changwon City]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Changwon City in Gyeongnam held a policy forum on cultural decentralization and strengthening regional cultural competitiveness on the 1st at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul.

The forum was co-hosted by the city, the Korea Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations, and the Korea Federation of National Artistic Organizations, and co-organized by the Changwon City Policy Research Institute. Attendees included former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo Jin-ryong, Lee Beom-heon, president of the Korea Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations, and Lee Cheong-san, chairman of the Korea Federation of National Artistic Organizations.

The discussion was chaired by art critic Yoon Jin-seop. The first presenter, Professor Kim Young-ho of Chung-Ang University, gave a presentation titled "The Era of Regional Cultural Decentralization and Building a Sustainable Cultural Environment."

Professor Kim pointed out, "To build a sustainable cultural environment in the regions, legislation and organizations must be established, and the seven elements of cultural production?'artists, creative spaces, art museums, art markets, collectors, audiences, and art critics'?must cooperate with each other. However, the only place where all these elements are well established is Seoul."

He added, "Changwon's strength lies in the 'Changwon Sculpture Biennale,' so it should maximize the international communication and production functions of the biennale and strengthen the seven elements mentioned earlier to grow as a laboratory for regional cultural decentralization."

In the subsequent discussion, former Minister Yoo Jin-ryong, Mayor Heo Seong-moo, Lee Beom-heon, president of the Korea Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations, Lee Cheong-san, chairman of the Korea Federation of National Artistic Organizations, reporter Noh Hyung-seok, a specialist in art and cultural heritage at Hankyoreh, and cultural critic Ha Jae-geun participated as panelists to discuss the direction and tasks of cultural decentralization for balanced regional development.

Mayor Heo said, "With the wave of K-culture propelling South Korea into the ranks of cultural powerhouses, cultural decentralization has become an urgent task that can no longer be postponed. We will do our best to open an era of cultural decentralization where regions can enjoy culture anywhere without discrimination."