Cabinet Approves Revised Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Culture
Expansion of Cultural Benefits at National and Public Arts Institutions
Voluntary Registration and Participation by Private Cultural and Arts Organizations
Starting April 1, "Culture Day" will be expanded to every Wednesday. Previously, Culture Day was held only once a month on the last Wednesday, but it will now be observed once a week.
On March 3, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the Cabinet had approved the revision to the Enforcement Decree of the "Framework Act on Culture," which includes this expansion. After a preparation period following its promulgation, the revised decree will take effect on April 1.
The Ministry explained that this expansion represents more than just an increase in frequency; it marks a policy shift aimed at making cultural enjoyment a regular part of daily life rather than something limited to special occasions.
Since its introduction in 2014, Culture Day has contributed to expanding opportunities for cultural enjoyment among the public. The participation rate, which was 28.4% at its inception, rose to 66.3% as of 2024, establishing Culture Day as a leading cultural policy brand. The Ministry expects that holding Culture Day every week will help universalize cultural enjoyment, and that the increased opportunities will translate into greater cultural consumption, revitalizing the overall culture, arts, and content industries.
With the expansion, participation by private cultural and arts institutions will shift to a voluntary participation model. Private institutions wishing to host Wednesday cultural programs can register as participating institutions for Culture Day through ongoing applications. The Ministry emphasized that this shift to voluntary participation is intended to actively reflect creative ideas from the private sector in the cultural scene.
The Ministry also announced plans to expand cultural benefits at public cultural and arts institutions, aiming to create an environment where everyone across the country can access unique cultural experiences close to home without exclusion. Public institutions will enhance Wednesday-specialized programs tailored to their unique characteristics, broadening opportunities for everyday cultural enjoyment. In some localities, regional programs will be strengthened by linking local cultural assets such as hanok, nongak, and workshops.
Opportunities for online cultural engagement will also be expanded, starting with reading content. The Ministry stated that it will establish online venues for communication and a variety of participatory events, so that people can experience Culture Day as part of their daily lives.
Existing cultural benefits, such as discounts, will be operated at the discretion of related industries. The Ministry believes that shifting policy structures to respect the autonomy and sustainability of the field, rather than expanding one-off support, is an effective way to encourage diverse participation from the private sector. Each institution and business can independently plan discounts, events, and special programs according to their management conditions and characteristics.
Kim Yongseop, Director of Regional Culture Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "This expansion and reorganization of Culture Day will serve as a turning point toward making culture a routine part of daily life, so that people can easily enjoy the culture they want, anytime and anywhere." He added, "The Ministry will make every effort to ensure that culture deeply permeates people's daily lives and enhances quality of life, drawing on the leading role of public institutions and the voluntary participation of the private sector."
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