Thirteen cities, including Daegu Suseong, Anseong, Tongyeong, Suncheon, Jeonju, Andong, Sokcho, Sejong, Hongseong, Jinju, Jindo, and Chungju, have been designated as “Cultural Cities of Korea,” known for their arts, cultural industries, traditional culture, and rich cultural resources.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism announced on the 26th that they have finally designated 13 cities in 6 regions as “Cultural Cities of Korea” to lead balanced regional cultural development. The designated cultural cities focus on various aspects: Daegu Suseong-gu, Gyeonggi Anseong-si, and Gyeongnam Tongyeong-si focus on arts; Jeonnam Suncheon-si, Jeonbuk Jeonju-si, and Gyeongnam Jinju-si aim to build an industrial ecosystem through supporting the cultural industry. Gyeongbuk Andong-si, Jeonnam Jindo-gun, and Chungbuk Chungju-si plan to advance based on deep-rooted traditional culture, while Gangwon Sokcho-si and Busan Suyeong-gu boast pristine environments. Sejong-si and Chungnam Hongseong-gun aim to utilize local cultural resources.
Last December, these cities received approval for their development plans, and each was granted a preliminary project budget of 200 million Korean Won. Two rounds of consulting and a training session for local government officials also took place to refine the development plans. Last month, on-site and presentation evaluations were conducted over two weeks. Considering the policy goal of nurturing “culturally leading cities by region,” all 13 cities were finally designated.
Starting from 2025 to 2027, each designated city will receive a budget of 20 billion Korean Won to pursue their development plans. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will oversee the performance of these projects with dedicated consulting and annual evaluations, aiming to achieve cultural enjoyment and participation by 20 million people, utilizing and creating 20,000 neighborhood cultural spaces, generating an economic ripple effect worth about 1 trillion Korean Won, and creating 3,000 jobs.
Minister Yoo In-chon stated that “a region’s unique culture is the pride that keeps residents living there and the strength that draws people into the area.” He emphasized that the selection of 13 final “Cultural Cities of Korea” was comprehensively based on whether they’ve established realistic and concrete development plans leveraging regional cultural resources, ensured sustainability beyond government support, and could contribute to the overall development of adjacent regions.
He further added, “The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism plans to ensure the ‘Cultural Cities of Korea’ are developed as planned” and pledged to “present a new model that transforms entire cities through culture.”