Kim Seung-soo: “No inspections despite failure to submit transmission education performance reports”
Average age of holders 75.8, serious aging concern,
Cultural Heritage Administration,
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, ‘It has been revealed that the Cultural Heritage Administration is managing the transmission education performance of intangible cultural heritage only nominally and essentially neglecting it. There is criticism that it fails to properly inspect the status of transmission even though a significant number of elderly holders are unable to perform.’,
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, “According to the ‘2024 Open Event Inspection Project Final Report’ and ‘Performance Report of Transmission Education for Holders over 90’ disclosed by National Assembly member Kim Seung-soo from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on the 19th, many holders are in a difficult position to continue transmission activities due to aging and health issues, yet management and supervision are virtually non-existent.”,
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, “Current ‘Act on the Preservation and Promotion of Intangible Heritage’ Article 17 stipulates that the Cultural Heritage Administration should designate holders of intangible heritage and manage and support transmission education. Holders are required to hold at least one public event annually and provide education.”,
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, ‘However, Holder A (93) was unable to perform their role in last year’s regular performance due to deteriorating health. Experts on-site assessed that “the person has aged to a degree where actual performance is impossible, and it is necessary to convert them to an honorary holder.”‘,
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, ‘Holder B (94) judged it difficult to perform independently and applied with reduced event costs. The evaluation report mentioned “performance of traditional production skills was lacking due to extreme old age.” He also did not submit transmission education performance for the past two years.’,
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, ‘Similarly, Holder C (91) only attended the event without performing. The report stated “further performance is deemed difficult due to old age,” and the associated group has not submitted transmission education performance for two years.’,
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, ‘The aging speed among intangible heritage holders is rapid. As of this year, the average age is 75.8 years, about 2 years older than in 2021 (73.9 years). Among the total 172 holders, there are 121 people in their 70s and 80s (70.3%) and twelve in their 90s.’,
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, ‘With no holders, six categories remain, only a one-category increase from last year. There are as many as thirty-four categories with only one holder. The sustainability of intangible heritage transmission is under threat.’,
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, ‘Assemblyman Kim emphasized, “Without establishing a management system that matches the aging transmission environment, there is a risk of breaking the tradition,” and continued, “The Cultural Heritage Administration must actively respond to ensure the continuation of the tradition while showing due respect to the holders who have dedicated their lives to transmission by designating them as honorary holders.”‘,
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