Supporting Quality of Life Improvement for the Culturally Underprivileged... 140,000 Won Annually for 2.64 Million Beneficiaries

'Integrated Cultural Voucher Project'
Support for Cultural, Arts, Tourism, and Sports Activities
Annual 140,000 Won Provided to the Culturally Underprivileged

The Korea Arts Council (Arko) announced on the 16th that it held the "Integrated Cultural Voucher Project Human Rights Management Declaration Ceremony" on the 9th. The ceremony was attended by Arko officials, as well as representatives from metropolitan and local governments and regional agencies responsible for implementing the Integrated Cultural Voucher Project.

The scene from the "Integrated Cultural Voucher Project Human Rights Management Declaration Ceremony" held on the 9th. Korea Arts Council

The Integrated Cultural Voucher Project is designed to reduce cultural disparities and improve the quality of life for the culturally underprivileged by supporting cultural, artistic, tourism, and sports activities for recipients of basic livelihood security and the near-poor. Funded by the Lottery Fund from the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Lottery Commission, the project will provide annual support of 140,000 won per person to 2.64 million people in 2025.

The Human Rights Management Declaration includes the following: compliance with human rights protection standards and norms; respect for citizens' rights to enjoy culture; protection of the value of cultural diversity; customer satisfaction and protection of rights; pursuit of joint cooperation with stakeholders; protection of personal information; minimization of imbalances caused by minority status or economic crises; environmental protection and response to climate change; prevention and remedy of human rights violations; and creation of social value.

Participants shared exemplary regional cases and discussed ways to expand them nationwide in order to support cultural enjoyment for the elderly, people with disabilities, residents of rural and fishing communities, and information-vulnerable groups who experience difficulties using the Munhwa Nuri Card.

They also discussed measures such as enhancing information accessibility and expanding tailored guidance for beneficiaries as ways to identify those who are eligible for the Munhwa Nuri Card but are unable to access cultural benefits due to lack of information.

An Arko official stated, "The actual usage rate among those who have completed issuance is quite high," and added, "Arko will continue to work to eliminate blind spots in cultural enjoyment and to realize human rights-centered cultural welfare."

The Munhwa Nuri Card issuance period runs until November 28, and the usage period is until December 31. New issuance, reissuance, and recharge are available through the Munhwa Nuri Card website, mobile app, or by visiting a local community center nationwide. Existing cardholders can also use the mobile app or telephone ARS recharge service. However, issuance may close early if the budget allocated for each region is exhausted.