The Lee Jae Myung administration has announced comprehensive plans to solidify South Korea's position as a global cultural powerhouse while building a sustainable digital and media ecosystem. The ambitious five-year strategy outlines bold growth targets for the K-culture industry and aims to reinforce the foundations of artistic creation and public participation across multiple sectors.

Under the first major pillar of strengthening the country's global cultural dominance, the government has set aggressive financial targets for the K-culture market. Officials aim to grow the market to 300 trillion won ($216 billion) by 2030, representing a significant increase from the estimated 206 trillion won recorded in 2023. Additionally, the administration seeks to boost exports from related cultural industries to 50 trillion won while dramatically increasing annual inbound tourism from 16.37 million visitors in 2024 to 30 million by the end of the decade.

To achieve these ambitious goals, the government plans to facilitate industrial growth through substantial policy financing totaling 10 trillion won, alongside tax benefits and the securing of performance venues and arenas. Key sectors including video production, music, and gaming will receive targeted government support, while K-art encompassing literature, musicals, and fine arts will be actively promoted. The strategy also emphasizes the expansion of Korean language education and traditional culture preservation programs.

The comprehensive plan extends beyond entertainment to include culture-related industries spanning food, beauty products, and tourism services. The government intends to enhance infrastructure to better serve both domestic and international visitors, creating a more robust foundation for cultural exchange and economic growth.

As part of the second major pillar, the administration has established specific targets for domestic cultural participation and engagement. The government aims to raise the national cultural arts attendance rate from 63 percent in 2024 to 70 percent by 2030, while simultaneously increasing participation in daily sports activities from 60.7 percent in 2024 to 65 percent by 2030.

To support these participation goals, officials plan to create additional creative spaces throughout the country and improve welfare conditions for artists and cultural workers. The strategy includes developing specialized arts and humanities programs specifically designed for children and youth, while expanding cultural and sports facilities to ensure accessibility for all age groups. A newly established Cultural Powerhouse Committee will oversee policy implementation, supported by increased cultural funding to ensure long-term sustainable growth.

The government's vision extends to building a forward-looking digital and media ecosystem that addresses modern challenges in broadcasting and online platforms. The first priority involves restoring public service values in broadcasting through improved governance structures for public broadcasters, ensuring editorial independence, and supporting the production of educational and disaster-response content. The plan also includes strengthening accessibility features for disabled viewers across all broadcasting platforms.

To ensure sustainable growth in the media sector, the proposed Media Development Committee will coordinate necessary legal reforms and establish new initiatives connecting small and medium-sized enterprises with broadcasting and pay-TV advertising opportunities. The government will provide comprehensive support for the overseas expansion of Korean platforms while facilitating the integration of artificial intelligence technologies into broadcast media operations.

Finally, the strategy prioritizes creating a user-centered digital environment with enhanced safety measures and regulatory frameworks. Officials plan to implement stricter measures to combat misinformation across digital platforms, safeguard platform users from various forms of harm, and strengthen existing regulations against illegal spam and fraudulent activities. These comprehensive reforms aim to create a more secure and reliable digital ecosystem that supports both content creators and consumers in the evolving media landscape.