Yongsan District Appoints Popera Tenor Hyoungju Lim as First Chairman of Yongsan Cultural Foundation

Official Launch of the Foundation Scheduled for February Next Year

Yongsan District in Seoul (Mayor Heeyoung Park) has officially launched the 'Yongsan Cultural Foundation' to take charge of local cultural policy.

On the 18th, Yongsan District announced that it held the inaugural general meeting and founding board meeting of the Yongsan Cultural Foundation in the district office's small conference room, and appointed world-renowned popera tenor Hyoungju Lim (39, Distinguished Professor of Vocal Music at the Rome City University of the Arts) as the foundation's first chairman.

Heeyoung Park, Mayor of Yongsan District (center bottom row), and Hyoungju Lim, Chairman of Yongsan Cultural Foundation (second from right bottom row), are taking a commemorative photo with executives at the inaugural general meeting and founding board meeting of Yongsan Cultural Foundation. Provided by Yongsan District.

The event was attended by ten executives, including Mayor Heeyoung Park and Chairman Hyoungju Lim, and appointment letters were presented to the chairman, CEO, and board members.

Chairman Hyoungju Lim stated, "I am sincerely grateful for this significant opportunity to contribute to the local culture of my hometown, Yongsan. As Yongsan is gaining recognition as the center of Korea's economy and culture, I will do my utmost to ensure that the Yongsan Cultural Foundation becomes a leading public cultural institution that promotes and continuously develops K-art and culture."

The Yongsan Cultural Foundation formed its executive team, including the first chairman, CEO, board members, and auditors, through an open recruitment process. Since the establishment of the foundation was first planned in 2022, it has been recognized for its public value and necessity through feasibility reviews by specialized agencies and deliberation by the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Foundation Operations Review Committee. The institutional basis was established with the proclamation of the 'Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Yongsan-gu Cultural Foundation, Seoul Metropolitan City' in September.

After completing the corporate establishment approval and registration procedures, the district plans to recruit employees through an open hiring process in January next year and officially launch the foundation in February.

Following its launch, the foundation will play a central role in strengthening Yongsan's cultural infrastructure by operating cultural facilities, establishing local cultural policies, supporting artists and cultural organizations, and expanding cooperation with private cultural facilities.

Mayor Heeyoung Park commented, "I hope the Yongsan Cultural Foundation will take the lead in making Yongsan a 'cultural city' by actively utilizing its abundant cultural infrastructure, including historical sites, museums, and cultural facilities. Yongsan District will also actively cooperate to ensure that residents can enjoy a richer cultural life and that artists have expanded opportunities for creation and activities."