President Lee Attends Launch of Popular Culture Exchange Committee on October 1
"We Will Uphold the Principle of Supporting Without Interfering"
"Fan Sovereignty Is Important; There Is a Significant Difference Depending on Whether One Considers Oneself the Owner"
Co-chair Park Jinyoung Unveils Blueprint for Global 'Phenomenon Festival' in December 2027
On October 1, President Lee Jaemyung marked the launch of the Popular Culture Exchange Committee by stating, "We will actively support our popular culture so that it can not only bring laughter, emotion, and empathy to people around the world, but also be reborn as a core industry responsible for the future of the Korean economy." At the 'K-Culture Experience Zone' set up at the event venue, standing in front of a K-pop light stick display, he also shared his thoughts: "This is something I saw a lot last winter. The idea of fan sovereignty is important. There is a significant difference between considering oneself the owner or not."
At the launch ceremony held at Exhibition Hall 2 of KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, President Lee said, "As a bridge connecting Korea and the world, I ask that you play a major role in expanding exchanges and cooperation, as well as achieving growth in related industries."
The Popular Culture Exchange Committee is a presidential advisory body. Its goal is to establish a national vision for popular culture exchange policies and to promote the continued spread of Korean popular culture by strengthening public-private cooperation. The committee is co-chaired by Choi Hwiyeong, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Park Jinyoung, CEO of JYP Entertainment, both holding ministerial-level status.
President Lee Jae-myung is taking a commemorative photo with Park Jin-young, co-chairman, after presenting a certificate of appointment at the launch ceremony of the Popular Culture Exchange Committee held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee quoted Baekbeom Kim Gu, saying, "The only thing I want endlessly is the power of a noble culture," and assessed that "we are now entering the Hallyu 4.0 era, where culture is exchanged in real time around the world."
He continued, "Just as Kim Gu once said, K-culture has finally developed beyond being just ours, and has become a powerful medium for global communication and empathy." He emphasized, "I hope that, like Baekbeom's dream, Korea will become a nation that leads world peace with the power of a noble culture."
President Lee also mentioned the 'arm's length principle,' promising, "We will provide support without interference, so that autonomy can be maximized on the ground."
Meanwhile, President Lee, dressed in hanbok and wearing a durumagi, toured the K-Culture Experience Zone near the venue with Park Jinyoung, the committee co-chair, before the launch ceremony. In particular, President Lee remarked in front of the K-pop light stick display on the wall, "This is something I saw a lot last winter." When Park explained that the light stick symbolizes fans becoming the main agents of concerts, President Lee immediately coined the term "fan sovereignty."
President Lee took commemorative photos holding light sticks and photo cards of singers, and also took a self-photo featuring BTS member RM at the instant photo booth 'Photoism' with Co-chair Park. Upon hearing that singer photo cards are actively traded within communities, he likened it to "the sticker games of childhood," bringing laughter to the audience.
Additionally, when Co-chair Park introduced BoA and Wonder Girls as the first generation of Korean singers to enter the U.S. market and shared, "It was difficult because there was no interest in Korea as a country. It was sad and lonely," President Lee responded empathetically, "It must have been hard when you were sowing the seeds."
On this day, Co-chair Park said, "What mattered most when I was first approached was President Lee Jaemyung's sincerity," expressing his ambition to provide practical help, and unveiled a blueprint to hold the 'Phenomenon Festival' with K-culture fans from around the world in December 2027. President Lee established the Popular Culture Exchange Committee under the direct control of the president on September 9 and made a surprise appointment of Park, CEO and producer of JYP Entertainment, as co-chair.
President Lee also joined citizens and aspiring professionals from the popular culture industry, who were recruited on a first-come, first-served basis, in a cultural performance celebrating the committee's launch. Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, explained, "After opening with a congratulatory performance by Le Sserafim, which reinterpreted 'Gilnori' in a modern way, the two co-chairs presented their visions, and the event concluded with a performance by Stray Kids that integrated traditional Korean cultural elements such as lion dance and taekwondo." She added that President Lee passionately expressed his affection for popular culture by waving a light stick with the attendees to enjoy the atmosphere and taking group photos with the audience.
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