CEO Jo Woojung (Isabel) Stresses Need to Establish 'Korea Culture and Arts Association' for Artists' Rights

"Artists Deserve Protection as Workers...
Urgent Need for Political Cooperation After the Presidential Election"

On May 19, Jo Woojung (Isabel), CEO of Belivus Co., Ltd., announced plans to establish the Korea Culture and Arts Association (KCAA), an integrated organization aimed at protecting the rights and interests of artists.

The KCAA, as proposed by CEO Jo, would be a national-level organization for the protection of rights and welfare of artists, encompassing all artistic genres including performing arts, broadcasting, music, dance, and fine arts.

Jo emphasized, "Countless artists are struggling to make a living, working without even a contract," and stressed the need for institutional protection by recognizing artists as 'working professionals.' She pointed out the necessity for a system that can comprehensively manage contracts, wages, welfare, legal matters, and portrait rights, similar to the AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild?American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) in the United States.

In reality, according to Jo, while there are individual associations and groups for artists in Korea, most of them lack functions for rights protection, such as standard contracts, collective bargaining, welfare funds, and dispute mediation.

The KCAA, for which Jo emphasized the need for establishment, would be a national-level organization covering all artistic genres, including performing arts, broadcasting, music, fine arts, and dance. Its main functions would include: presenting wage standards; providing legal and copyright support; offering emergency livelihood assistance; facilitating international agreements; and promoting balanced regional cultural development. It would also feature a separate protection track for young artists and a database based on artist registration numbers.

Jo stated, "We will pursue this step by step through legislative action in the National Assembly immediately after the presidential election, industry roundtables, and a nationwide public campaign," adding, "A culturally advanced nation is only possible when the lives of artists are respected."

Meanwhile, Chairperson Jo is a former prima donna of the San Francisco Opera and was the first Korean to major in classical opera.

She gained global attention in 2013 with the MBC drama 'Gu Family Book' OST <My Eden>, and is currently serving as a director of the Seoul National Symphony Orchestra, a director of the Yongin City Sports Council, and the Chair of the Special Committee on Culture and Arts for the Saemirae Democratic Party.