On October 17, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed Hwang Gyo-ik, a food columnist, as the new director of the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute (KCTI). This move is considered a bold departure as it places a “field expert” in a position traditionally held by academics and bureaucrats. While the government justified this decision with goals of enhancing “field relevance” and “innovation,” some criticize it as a politically motivated appointment that could weaken the specialization of the institution responsible for government culture and tourism policy research.
Hwang’s appointment has sparked controversy, especially since he was previously nominated to lead Gyeonggi Tourism Organization by President Lee Jae-myung, then the governor of Gyeonggi Province, in 2021. However, he withdrew due to accusations of it being a patronage appointment. This history, along with his lack of administrative experience, raises concerns about his qualifications and potential political ties influencing the position.
Internally, there is unease within KCTI as previous directors typically held relevant doctorates or were professors. The appointment of an outsider without such qualifications is seen as potentially undermining the institution’s authority. Critics inside and outside the organization suggest that Hwang’s focus on on-the-ground experience must be supported by objective policy analysis and data to maintain the institute’s credibility.
The decision is regarded as a test of the Lee administration’s commitment to promoting the ‘K-culture industrialization’ and ‘local economic revitalization’. Without empirical evidence supporting Hwang’s approach, experts worry about the institution’s loss of trustworthiness.
In response, the cultural civic group ‘Cultural Solidarity’ has announced a press conference to protest not only Hwang’s appointment but also other cultural policy appointments by the Lee administration.