Yangju, a 'Culture City' Without a Culture and Tourism Foundation
No. 1 in Population Growth in Northern Gyeonggi... Still in the 'Preparation Stage'
Widening Gap in Public Project Response and Content Planning Capabilities
Missing This Year Means an Inevitable Policy Void... "This Is the Last Chance"
Yangju City, which has rapidly emerged as the central city of northern Gyeonggi Province, is accelerating its efforts to establish a 'Culture and Tourism Foundation' to create a systematic foundation for its culture and tourism policies.
According to Yangju City on June 25, 2024, the population of Yangju reached approximately 290,000, an increase of 20,000 people (7.8%) compared to two years ago, recording the highest growth rate among cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi. As the population grows rapidly, so does the demand for cultural activities among citizens. However, Yangju City has not yet established an independent culture and tourism foundation.
Out of 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, 23 already operate either a culture foundation or a culture and tourism foundation. Paju City (2024) and Pocheon City (2021) have also recently established foundations to further boost local culture and tourism. However, Yangju City has only completed the 'second round of establishment consultations with Gyeonggi Province' at this stage.
Weakened Response to Public Project Bids... Lagging Behind in Securing Budgets
The absence of a culture and tourism foundation has led to a weakened ability to respond to public project bids. As of 2024, the total amount of government subsidies from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Heritage Administration stands at about 2.5 trillion won. However, over the past three years, the annual average amount of national and provincial funds secured by Yangju City for culture and tourism has been only 4.5 billion won.
This accounts for just 26% of Yangju’s culture and tourism budget and is low compared to other local governments of similar size.
Concerns have been raised that, without a specialized organization and with the city government directly carrying out projects, it is difficult to plan competitive content or conduct strategic marketing. The establishment of a culture and tourism foundation is increasingly seen as not only a way to expand finances, but also as a basis for formulating sustainable culture and tourism policies.
Benchmarking for the Establishment of Yangju Culture and Tourism Foundation. Provided by Yangju City
Fragmented Culture and Tourism Administration... An Urgent Need for a 'Policy Control Tower'
Currently, Yangju’s culture and tourism policies are limited to a range of projects in areas such as arts education, tourism marketing, and community culture. There have been ongoing criticisms that it is difficult to formulate strategies or set long-term visions from an integrated perspective.
Accordingly, Yangju City is working to establish a culture and tourism foundation under a four-team system directly under the CEO, aiming to launch by the end of 2025. The foundation plans to integrate and manage 36 projects, including support for cultural and arts organizations, festival operations, city tours and tourist information centers, and community culture centers. Beyond simply transferring administrative tasks, the foundation will serve as a control tower for key strategic projects such as discovering unique local content, developing tourism products, fostering artists, and building public-private governance.
Expected Economic Ripple Effects... 27 Billion Won in Production Inducement and 359 Jobs Over Five Years
According to a feasibility study conducted by the Gyeonggi Research Institute, the establishment of the Yangju Culture and Tourism Foundation received a 'high' rating in 8 out of 11 evaluation indicators. In particular, it was positively evaluated for business sustainability, organizational efficiency, and demand suitability.
Yangju Culture and Tourism Foundation Establishment Feasibility Study Final Report Meeting. Photo by Yangju City
The economic ripple effects are also clear. Over the five years following the foundation’s establishment, the production inducement effect is estimated at about 27 billion won, the value-added inducement effect at 17.5 billion won, and the employment inducement effect at 359 jobs. If the increase in tourists and revitalization of local businesses are included, the actual economic revitalization effect is expected to be even greater.
Civic awareness is also changing. In a recent survey, the majority of citizens agreed on the need to expand opportunities for cultural enjoyment and for public institutions to take the lead in operations. This reflects a demand for a shift toward citizen-centered culture and tourism policies, beyond simply expanding facilities.
"If We Miss 2025, We Fall Another Year Behind"... The Golden Time Is Now
Yangju City has already released the results of the feasibility study in March, completed deliberations by the city’s investment and contribution agency operations review committee, and obtained approval from Gyeonggi Province for the establishment. The city is currently preparing follow-up procedures such as enacting ordinances, securing budgets, recruiting executives, and preparing office space.
However, if the foundation is not established within this year, the situation will worsen. Since the city must align with the budget execution cycles of the central government and Gyeonggi Province, delays of at least one year in receiving national and provincial funding for various public projects could occur.
2025 Yangju City Symphony Orchestra Park Concert held at Deokjeongdong Dokbawi Park Outdoor Stage. Provided by Yangju City
The culture and tourism foundation is not just about creating another organization. It is the foundation for Yangju to become a 'culture and tourism city', a key mechanism for securing urban identity and generating future growth engines. There is a growing consensus that the launch of the foundation must not be delayed any further.
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