President Lee: "There Will Be an Opportunity for a Supplementary Budget... Review Culture and Arts Funding"

President Lee Presides Over Cabinet Meeting
Hints at Supplementary Budget Following the 15th
"Culture and Arts Sector in a Dangerous State"

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung stated on the 20th, "There will be an opportunity to draw up an additional supplementary budget in the future."

President Lee made this remark while presiding over the second Cabinet meeting at the Blue House that afternoon. He said, "Isn't it customary to have a supplementary budget?" and instructed, "At that time, carefully review the budget for culture and the arts."

President Lee told Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, "I have heard that the foundations of the film industry and the broader cultural and arts sectors are on the verge of collapse, so we need to pay special attention," and asked, "Korean culture is attracting worldwide attention, but wouldn't it be a serious problem if the domestic cultural and artistic infrastructure were to collapse?" He also pointed out, "The cultural and arts sector is currently in a very dangerous state," adding, "On the surface, it appears glamorous, but inside, it may be rotting away."

In response, Minister Choi Hwi-young reported, "We are looking into what more can be done in addition to this year's budget foundation."

President Lee had also expressed his intention to support the cultural and arts sector through a supplementary budget during the senior aides' meeting on the 15th. At that time, President Lee said, "Support for the cultural and arts sector is far too insufficient, so we need to increase direct support," and added, "Even if it requires a supplementary budget, we must restore the foundation of culture and the arts to a healthy state."

However, about an hour after President Lee's remarks became public, the Blue House issued a press notice clarifying, "The President's comments were meant to emphasize the general need to support the culture and arts sector, and the Blue House has not reviewed the possibility of drawing up a supplementary budget."