Aging Industrial Complexes... Rejuvenated Through 'Culture and Arts'

Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Industry 'Industrial Complex with Culture' Task Force
Exploring Ways to Integrate Cultural and Artistic Programs

The government is breaking down barriers between ministries and joining forces to create industrial complexes enriched with culture. On the 15th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will launch a special task force (TF) related to this initiative and hold their first meeting at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Industrial complexes have driven South Korea's industrialization and economic growth for the past 60 years. Currently, tenant companies are struggling with labor shortages. Due to aging facilities and a lack of living and cultural amenities, young people are reluctant to work there.

President Yoon Suk-yeol instructed relevant ministries at a public discussion on livelihood held last month in Changwon to "create industrial complexes rich in culture to attract young people." In response, on the 6th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport met with local governments such as Ulsan and Changwon, which have industrial complexes, as well as cultural and artistic experts to gather on-site opinions and lay the groundwork for collaboration.

The special task force is jointly led by the Director-General of Cultural Arts Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Director-General of Industrial Infrastructure at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Director-General of Land and Urban Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Representatives from each ministry, the Regional Culture Promotion Agency, Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, Korea Land and Housing Corporation, as well as young workers and local governments will communicate and discuss collaboration plans.

There are four key issues. First, they will explore ways to integrate cultural and artistic programs into the infrastructure established through structural advancement and regeneration projects of aging industrial complexes. They will also seek cultural and artistic support to improve living conditions for industrial complexes and local residents, and institutional improvements to revitalize the settlement of cultural enterprises within industrial complexes. Additionally, they will look for ways to create cultural facilities during the planning stages of new national industrial complexes.

Kang Jeong-won, Director-General of Cultural Arts Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "Culture is the biggest factor that makes people want to stay and live in a place," adding, "We will eliminate barriers between ministries and work together to develop policies that lead to a rich cultural environment."