Minister Choi Hwiyoung: "We Focused Most on a Social Safety Net for Artists in Next Year's Budget"

Social Safety Net Budget Rises from KRW 34.5 Billion to KRW 96.6 Billion
Industrial Accident Insurance Support Expanded to 39,000 People
At Least KRW 100,000 in Support for Young People’s Cultural and Sports Activities

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwiyoung said on social media on November 1 that the ministry had nearly tripled the budget for building a “social safety net for artists” in its 2027 budget proposal, making it a top priority.

Ahead of the National Assembly’s review of next year’s budget proposal next week, Choi outlined the main priorities behind the budget.

“The area we focused on most in the 2027 budget proposal is building a social safety net for artists,” Choi said. “We have substantially increased the related budget from KRW 34.5 billion this year to KRW 96.6 billion next year so that freelance artists can also benefit from a robust safety net comparable to that available to regular employees.”

“We will greatly expand the number of people eligible for support with industrial accident insurance premiums, from 4,400 this year to 39,000 next year, and increase the premium subsidy rate from 50% to the full 100%,” he said. “We will also expand eligibility for National Pension support and the scope of comprehensive health checkup support, while increasing the budgets for artists’ livelihood stabilization loans and jeonse loans.”

Choi cited the planned introduction of a provisionally named “Youth Culture and Sports Pass” as another key initiative in the 2027 budget proposal. “This program is designed to expand access to culture for economically vulnerable young people and help them grow into active cultural consumers,” he said. “Starting next year, we plan to provide an annual subsidy of KRW 100,000 to all young people aged 19 to 34 who live in the Seoul metropolitan area, and KRW 150,000 to those living outside the metropolitan area. The funds can be used for cultural activities such as performances, exhibitions, movies and books, as well as for attending sporting events.”

“We have also carefully incorporated a range of tailored programs to strengthen support for the creation and production of works across cultural and artistic fields, help artists take the stage more often, and narrow cultural gaps between regions,” Choi said. “We have also prepared funding to further accelerate the global expansion of K-culture, which is captivating audiences around the world.”

“Taking the urgent concerns voiced by the Cultural and Arts Policy Advisory Committee as our compass, I will do my utmost to ensure that next year’s budget, which is essential for our artists, creators and the public, passes the National Assembly,” he added.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.