[The Editors' Verdict] Seizing Missed Cultural Opportunities: Youth Arts Pass Offers a Second Chance

Young People Facing Economic and Time Challenges
Addressing Cultural Exclusion Beyond Simple Benefits
Continuous Expansion and Improvement Needed, Not Just a One-Off Policy

Kwangho Lee, Head of Culture and Sports Team

For many young people these days, "culture" can sometimes feel like a luxury. With daily life consumed by studying and preparing for employment, and with the relentless rise in prices and rent, even choosing to watch a movie or visit an exhibition is not an easy decision. Some say, "Culture is something to be enjoyed when you have peace of mind." However, youth passes by far too quickly to wait for such leisure.

In this reality, the government's introduction of the "Youth Culture and Arts Pass" is creating a meaningful turning point. Targeting those born in 2006, specifically 19-year-olds, this program provides support for cultural consumption worth 150,000 won per year. It goes beyond simple discounts, aiming to remind young people of the intrinsic value of culture and the arts. It is providing practical assistance to young people who have previously been excluded from enjoying cultural experiences.

The policy's actual impact is clear. According to a survey conducted in June by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism among 7,144 young people using the pass, 98.4% responded that it "will be helpful for enjoying cultural activities." This demonstrates that the program has brought about tangible changes in young people's access to and experience of culture, going beyond mere satisfaction. In fact, it is not that young people are turning away from culture. Even if they want to enjoy it, their circumstances do not allow it. High living expenses, tuition fees, and housing costs have consistently pushed culture down the list of priorities. Enjoying cultural activities requires both time and financial flexibility, but securing both is never easy for young people. That is why the Youth Culture and Arts Pass is all the more necessary.

Culture fosters personal growth. Art awakens emotions, opens new perspectives, and sometimes prompts us to reconsider the direction of our lives. Being moved by a performance or questioning oneself while viewing an exhibition becomes the foundation for self-reflection and creativity. Especially for young people at a crossroads in life, culture can be more than just leisure; it can become a mental asset.

The response from young people on the ground has been enthusiastic. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, during the first application period from March to May, about 120,000 young people received the pass, with an issuance rate of 76.9%. Additional applications are now possible starting this month. For young people who have postponed cultural activities, now is the perfect opportunity to take that first step.

The important thing is not just to "receive" this benefit, but to actively "make use of it." In fact, many young people have visited an art museum for the first time or experienced a theater performance for the first time thanks to this pass. When these first experiences are repeated and become part of daily life, the true impact of this program will be revealed.

Culture is not a choice, but a "right" that should be guaranteed to everyone. The Youth Culture and Arts Pass is the first step toward realizing that right. Audiences for culture and the arts are not created overnight. The young people who are experiencing culture through this program now will grow into the cultural leaders of the future. Furthermore, I hope that this program will develop into a long-term and sustainable cultural policy, rather than remaining a short-term support measure. The experience of young people enjoying and embracing culture on their own will ultimately deepen the cultural richness of society as a whole.

I hope that the Youth Culture and Arts Pass will not remain a one-off policy, but will serve as a catalyst for making cultural enjoyment a true part of daily life for young people through continuous expansion and improvement. Culture is our future, and that future begins right now, with the choices and experiences of young people.