Monthly Support of 500,000 KRW for Outstanding Masters of National Intangible Heritage

Over 270 People Selected This Month by the National Intangible Heritage Center

The National Intangible Heritage Center announced on the 2nd that starting this year, it will provide a monthly incentive of 500,000 KRW to outstanding holders of national intangible heritage for their transmission activities. The basic requirement is at least three years of transmission experience. Recommendations are made by holders, holder organizations, or educational institutions of the relevant category, and the National Intangible Heritage Center reviews them. An official explained, "About 270 outstanding holders will be selected," adding, "They will receive a monthly incentive of 500,000 KRW for two years starting at the end of this month."

Among the national intangible heritage transmitters, holders, holder organizations, and transmission educators have received monthly transmission education support funds necessary for transmission activities under the 'Act on the Protection and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage.' However, there was no separate support fund for holders, who make up 95% (about 7,000 people) of the transmitters. This made it difficult to fully devote themselves to transmission activities.

The National Intangible Heritage Center selects outstanding holders every two years and supports the costs necessary for transmission activities. The transmission education support funds paid to national intangible heritage holders and holder organizations will also be increased. Holders will receive 2,000,000 KRW per month, up from 1,500,000 KRW; holder organizations will receive 3,800,000 KRW per month, up from 3,600,000 KRW (autonomous transmission-type holder organizations will receive 5,800,000 KRW, up from 5,500,000 KRW).