Ministry of Culture Sets Record-High R&D Budget at 151.5 Billion Won

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on September 8, 2025, that the government's proposed budget for research and development (R&D) in 2026 has been set at a record-high 151.5 billion won.

This represents an increase of 45.4 billion won (42.7%) compared to this year's 106.2 billion won. The Ministry's R&D budget had previously risen to 133.6 billion won in 2023 but was significantly reduced to 100.1 billion won in 2024.

Recently, generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology has been having a profound impact on the media and entertainment industries. The Ministry explained that while there was an urgent need to expand R&D investment in cultural technology, budget cuts had stalled such investment. With the substantial increase in the required budget, the Ministry stated it would maximize the use of AI to achieve a "Top 3 in AI" goal and boost the ripple effect of K-Culture across both upstream and downstream industries.

Next year's R&D budget will be primarily allocated to the "K-Culture AI Oxygen Supply Project." Through this project, the Ministry plans to introduce AI technology throughout the entire content industry process-from planning and production to export-to promote a full-scale AI transformation (AX) of the industry. The Ministry also aims to develop AI technology that reflects Korean culture, thereby strengthening sovereign AI. In addition, the Ministry will apply AI technology to public cultural facilities to enhance public access to and familiarity with AI, and will pursue initiatives to nurture convergent AI talent, all with the goal of helping South Korea become one of the world's top five cultural soft power nations.

A policy official from the Ministry stated, "The cultural industry is a new growth engine for our country that creates high added value based on ideas. We will continue to expand investment in cultural technology, which forms the solid foundation of the cultural industry."