Will the Operational Loopholes of the National Academy of Arts of Korea Be Addressed?

Assemblyman Sangheon Lee Proposes Amendment to Korea National Academy of Arts Act
Removal of External Member Review, 4-Year Reappointment System, and Allowance Payments

Lee Sang-heon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 6th that he had taken the lead in proposing a revision to the Korea Arts Academy Act on the 2nd to address loopholes in the operation of the Korea Arts Academy.

Currently, the term of membership at the Korea Arts Academy is for life. Members receive a monthly activity allowance of 1.8 million won. The problem lies in the selection process. New members are decided with the consent of existing members, making it difficult for those without personal connections to become new members. There have been criticisms that it is an "exclusive arts academy." There is also backlash against the activity allowance being paid additionally to members who are already working as professors and receiving research funds. Lee raised these issues during the recent audit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. He said, "I question whether it is just to pay activity allowances with taxpayers' money to those who have established themselves in the arts field and are financially well-off," adding, "There are many artists struggling with financial difficulties. We need to support them more."

The revision includes a plan for a member recommendation committee composed of external members to review new members. It also proposes changing the lifetime membership system to a four-year renewable term (once) and deleting the provision for allowance payments. Lee said, "The arts academy should not become an institution for the privileged," and added, "I hope this revision will ensure fairness in the member selection process and resolve controversies related to financial support."

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