On the 1st, a field meeting with the Gugak community at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul
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"If the newly enacted Traditional Korean Music Promotion Act is implemented next year, it is expected to bring significant changes to the entire traditional Korean music community."
Yoon In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is speaking at the field meeting of the Korean traditional music community held on the 1st at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Jongno-gu. [Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]
On the 1st, Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, mentioned the 'Traditional Korean Music Promotion Act' scheduled to take effect in 2024 during a field meeting with the traditional Korean music community held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul, emphasizing, "You can look forward to it."
With the passage of the Traditional Korean Music Promotion Act by the National Assembly last June, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must establish and implement a basic plan for the promotion of traditional Korean music every five years starting in 2024 and designate a 'Traditional Korean Music Day.'
On this day, Minister Yoo said, "Whenever we talk about tradition or traditional Korean music, we tend to feel that something is lacking or insufficient. Those in the field always feel this shortage, but even compared to other fields, the proportion allocated to traditional Korean music is not small. However, because the scope is so broad and the fields are diverse, it seems that it does not resonate deeply at the grassroots level."
He continued, "I have met with provincial traditional Korean music centers and will have opportunities to talk with institutions in Seoul this month. Since the Paris Olympics will be held next year, many have expressed the opinion that it would be good to introduce our tradition during the Olympics," adding, "We also have plans to expand various programs to firmly showcase our traditional Korean music on the world stage."
The meeting was attended by various figures including Park Il-hoon, former director of the National Gugak Center; Jeong Soon-im, holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage for Pansori; Kim Deok-su, honorary professor of the Department of Yeonhui at Korea National University of Arts; Kim Young-im, chairperson of the Arirang Preservation Society; Lee Tae-baek, professor of traditional Korean music at Mokwon University; Lee Geon-hee, artistic director of the Jeongak Orchestra at the National Gugak Center; Yoo Ji-sook, artistic director of the Folk Orchestra at the National Gugak Center; Kwon Sung-taek, artistic director of the Creative Orchestra at the National Gugak Center; Yoo Eun-seon, artistic director of the National Changgeuk Company at the National Theater of Korea; Chae Chi-sung, artistic director of the Traditional Orchestra at the National Theater of Korea; and Kim Sam-jin, chairperson of the Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Foundation, who presented various opinions.
Minister Yoo emphasized to the artistic directors of national organizations, "As groups representing the nation’s artists, you must take responsibility within the artistic director system and become national representative brands," adding, "We will increase competition in the future and support organizations with capabilities more generously, even within national institutions, by increasing support or expanding membership, so that the status of the organizations can be elevated based on results." He also encouraged Jo Soo-hwang, a member of the National Changgeuk Company, saying, "As a national representative player, please carry a sense of responsibility."
Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is taking a commemorative photo with attendees at the Korean traditional music field meeting held on the 1st at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]
He also revealed plans to organize a program next year’s Lunar New Year concert that involves all national traditional Korean music organizations.
Minister Yoo said, "This upcoming Lunar New Year, we plan to gather all national organizations to present proper traditional music," adding, "Even if Western music is performed on January 1 (New Year's Day), during the Lunar New Year holiday, we are preparing a concert where those who carry our country’s tradition can come together like a festival."
He also disclosed plans regarding the frequently raised issue of 'unifying the support system.' Minister Yoo explained, "Currently, support is somewhat divided among the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service, the Arts Management Support Center, and others, but we plan to integrate these into one place to focus support on specialized fields like traditional Korean music," adding, "Whether it becomes the Arts Council or a foundation, the institution will be transformed to professionally support tradition."
At the meeting, Kim Deok-su, honorary professor of the Department of Yeonhui at Korea National University of Arts, and Kim Young-im, chairperson of the Arirang Preservation Society, voiced field concerns, saying, "Intangible Cultural Heritage has suddenly become a title," and "People gather only around the holders, which causes various problems in the regions."
In response, Minister Yoo said, "That was exactly what I wanted to ask. A few weeks ago, I went down to Jinju and met with Intangible Cultural Heritage holders. I heard that there are 12 people in a team, but only two are designated as holders, which causes difficulties," adding, "We will review fundamental changes to the Intangible Cultural Heritage system to ensure fairness and resolve grievances."
He also revealed plans for establishing branches of the National Gugak Center. Minister Yoo said, "We are preparing a Gangwon branch of the National Gugak Center, and there are demands for Gugak Centers in various regions nationwide, which we are reviewing," adding, "Just having one Gugak Center in a region will play a definite role."
Kwon Sung-taek, artistic director of the Creative Orchestra at the National Gugak Center; Lee Tae-baek, professor of traditional Korean music at Mokwon University; Lee Aram, daegeum player; and Lee Bong-geun, sorikkun (traditional Korean singer), presented opinions on the necessity of establishing a National Yeonhui Troupe, expanding the budget for personnel expenses for recruiting members, and building a dedicated theater.
Regarding the shortage of members, Minister Yoo said, "We are working to introduce a trainee member system for national organizations," adding, "We will gradually resolve the issues discussed today and redefine the budget anew in 2025."
Minister Yoo emphasized, "Advanced countries overseas do not support traditional arts as much as we do," and added, "Although there may be shortcomings, the government will strive for the revival of traditional Korean music within the limited budget through selection and concentration."
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