Starting next year, the government may grant a 1 million won tax deduction to individuals for expenses they incur in purchasing concert tickets and books.
Minister Do Jong-hwan of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) said in an interview, “(We)’re consulting on details of a plan, including a tax deduction rate, to extend a maximum of 1 million won in a tax deduction for expenses for people’s cultural life with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF).” Minister Do stressed that the tax deduction measure will have a great effect on the growth of the cultural industry.
The scope of the beneficiaries of the tax deduction is believed to be limited to such culture & arts as traditional Korean music, classical music, performing arts, and publications. The tax deduction plan is to be pushed in keeping with the President Moon Jae-in government’s state task of making people appreciate culture and arts in their daily lives.
The MCST minister revealed a plan to hand over the head of the National Library of Korea to the private sector. The director of the National Museum of Korea and the director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art have thus far been appointed among experts from the private sector under a different arrangement.
Minister Do said his ministry plans to work out steps to prevent the ministry from ever drafting a “blacklist” of artists who are critical of the government, which occurred uder the previous conservative administration. The ministry plans to fairly scrutinize projects and organizations affiliated with the MCST and reveal the outcomes publicly. “Progressive artists had been excluded under the previous government, and this time to the contrary, I never have such an idea. Anyone whose works are excellent will be given support regardless of ideology and tendencies, he said.
Minister Do Takes Office as 50th minster of MCST
Minister Do took the helm of the MCST as the 50th minister of the ministry at the Sejong Government Complex on June 19. He was given a letter of appointment by President Moon Jae-in on June 16, and he paid his respects at the National Cemetery in Seoul before taking office.
While delivering his inaugural speech, Minister Do vowed not to issue “unjust orders” to his ministry officials, only “orders reviving the Republic of Korea.” He urged his ministry officials to become “servants who have their own soul” since their reasoning, susceptibility, imagination and behaviors have a direct impact on those in the culture and arts fields.”
Do revealed a plan to form a fact-finding committee designed to look into the previous government’s artist blacklist.
MCST Minister Do also called for Korea’s successful hosting of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang; creating an environment in which people can enjoy sporting activities at ease; making people take rest and feel relaxed and ensuring balanced tourism industry; developing balanced regional cultures; and creating a just and fair culture and arts ecosystem.
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MCST Minister Do gives a speech at a meeting with those in the toursim industry on the realizing of tourism welfare society at the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center on June 23.(Photos: MCST)
Minster Do’s Pledge to Support Tourism Industry
MCST Minister Do disclosed his determination to back the growth of the tourism industry while meeting with representatives of the tourism industry on June 23.
The minister said, “In order to create quality jobs, (the ministry) will expand projects to nurture tourism venture companies, invigorate the tourism industry by supporting Tourism Durae and tourism companies.” He made the remarks at a meeting of some 30 officials from tourism organizations and tourism companies, including the Korea Tourism Association. He said his ministry is seeking to establish a national tourism strategy committee to discuss tourism as one of national key sectors and promote it in a systematic fashion.
