Jindo-gun Achieves Honor of Being Selected as a 'Korea Cultural City'

Securing 20 Billion KRW in Funding to Foster New Future Culture and Arts Industry...

Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do has been selected as a ‘Korea Cultural City’ by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

According to the county on the 3rd, the Cultural City project designates 13 local governments that will create distinctive city brands by utilizing unique local cultural resources and lead economic development and the expansion of cultural enjoyment for local residents.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, through the Cultural City Deliberation Committee, selected 13 local governments including Jindo-gun as candidates for approval of the Korea Cultural City creation plan, aiming to lead balanced regional cultural development centered on local areas.

Local governments that receive approval for the creation plan will carry out a one-year preliminary project, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will designate the final ‘Korea Cultural City’ by the end of this year after reviewing the preliminary project performance through the Cultural City Deliberation Committee. Up to 20 billion KRW (10 billion KRW in national funds) will be invested in each local government until 2027.

The county was highly evaluated for its potential to grow into a representative folk culture city of Korea through its specialized (anchor) project, the ‘Folk Culture Master Class,’ based on Jindo Arirang and traditional dance.

Jindo has long been an island filled with the fragrance of culture and arts, where residents have cultivated poetry, calligraphy, painting, and singing in their daily lives.

In particular, it is the capital of folk culture, holding two UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage items, 12 intangible cultural assets, 15 holders of artistic skills, and 36 local cultural heritages, and is the only folk culture and arts special zone in Korea.

Based on these resources, Jindo-gun plans to pioneer a new future cultural and artistic industry by utilizing excellent folk culture and arts and the beautiful natural scenery of the Dadohae (Korean Archipelago), promoting 16 detailed projects including six preliminary projects.

First, the goal is to establish a cultural and artistic foundation by creating cultural and artistic hub facilities and natural activity spaces, and to support residents’ own cultural and artistic activities to build a base for cultural enjoyment.

Additionally, it plans to nurture cultural and artistic personnel such as folk culture and arts professional planners and foster driving forces to lead cultural and artistic development, including the Jindo Folk Culture and Arts Festival.

For systematic implementation, a Cultural City Project Steering Committee (tentative name) and a dedicated promotion organization will be formed through active cooperation with the private sector, and the project will continue even after the support period ends to enhance social and economic ripple effects.

County Governor Kim Hee-su expressed, “I am grateful to the cultural artists, organizations, and residents who gave their unwavering support for the designation as a Cultural City,” and added, “We will do our best to build a Cultural City where residents participate and communicate together, making the lives of residents richer and transforming Jindo into the best cultural city that can drive regional development.”

Jindo = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Seung-geun just8440@asiae.co.kr