Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe the rights of citizens and the responsibility of the State and local governments concerning culture; and fundamental matters necessary for direction-setting and implementing cultural policies, thereby reinforcing the value and status of culture which can improve the quality of life and play a significant role in developing the State and society.
Article 2(Fundamental concepts) #
The fundamental concepts of this Act are to recognize the significance of culture in developing a democratic nation and enhancing the quality of life for individual citizens; to ensure that the State and local governments perform their roles to spread the value of culture into all social spheres, such as education, environment, human rights, welfare, politics, economy, and leisure; to ensure that individuals are not discriminated against in cultural expressions and activities; and to realize the principles of variety, autonomy, and creativity of culture harmoniously.
Article 3(Definition) #
The term "culture" used in this Act means all mental, physical, intellectual, and emotional characteristics inherent to any society or members thereof, including cultural arts, ways of life, community lifestyles, value systems, traditions, and convictions.
Article 4(Rights of citizens) #
Every citizen shall have rights to freely create culture, participate in cultural activities, and enjoy culture (hereinafter referred to as "cultural rights") without being discriminated against in cultural expressions and activities, regardless of gender, religion, ethics, generation, region, political opinion, social status, economic position, physical condition, etc. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017>
Article 5(Responsibility of the State and local governments) #
(1) The State and local governments shall provide support for the promotion of culture and arts, but shall not interfere with the contents thereof without good cause. <Added on Jan. 31, 2025>
(2) The State shall formulate and implement policies for the promotion of culture in order to guarantee the cultural rights of the people, and shall endeavor to expand financial resources therefor and efficiently operate them. <Amended on Jan. 31, 2025>
(3) The State shall respect the cultural-related plans, policies, and resources of local governments, and shall endeavor to achieve a balanced cultural development by resolving cultural gaps between regions. <Amended on Jan. 31, 2025>
(4) The State and local governments shall implement policies necessary to increase the opportunities for enjoying the culture by culturally underprivileged people who cannot enjoy culture due to economic, social, and geographical restraints, etc., and to encourage such people to engage in cultural activities. <Amended on Jan. 31, 2025>
(5) When formulating various plans and polices, the State and local governments shall evaluate the impacts of such plans and policies on the quality of life of citizens from a cultural perspective (hereinafter referred to as "cultural impact assessment") to spread cultural values into society. <Amended on Jan. 31, 2025; Mar. 25, 2025>
(6) Matters necessary for the targets, procedures, and methods for cultural impact assessment shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jan. 31, 2025>
Article 6(Relations to other Acts) #
(1) Other Acts on culture shall be enacted or amended pursuant to the purpose and fundamental ideas of this Act.
(2) The State and local governments shall apply this Act when formulating and implementing culture-related polices, except as otherwise provided in any other Act.
Article 7(Fundamental principles in formulating and implementing cultural policies) #
The State and local governments shall take the following in full consideration when formulating and implementing cultural policies:
1. Respecting cultural variety and autonomy; and spreading creativity of culture;
2. Providing support and creating conditions to enhance cultural capabilities of both citizens and the State;
3. Enlarging opportunities to participate in cultural activities and receive cultural education; and ensuring freedom to create culture;
4. Promoting cultural welfare without discrimination;
5. Respecting the value of culture; and enhancing the dynamics of culture;
6. Promoting international cultural exchanges and cooperation.
Article 8(Formulation of fundamental plan for cultural promotion) #
(1) The State shall formulate a fundamental plan for promoting culture (hereinafter referred to as "fundamental plan") every five years to promote culture. <Amended on Nov. 26, 2019>
(2) A fundamental plan shall be formulated by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism following consultation with the relevant central administrative agencies, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. (1) A fundamental plan shall include the following matters: <Amended on Aug. 10, 2021>
1. Objectives and direction-setting for national cultural development;
2. Basic direction-setting for cultural policies for promoting culture;
3. Matters concerning creating foundations for promoting culture, such as establishing legislations and systems therefor;
4. Cultural policies related to the matters referred to in each subparagraph of Article 9;
5. Matters concerning policies for improving the quality of cultural life for citizens;
6. Matters concerning strengthening cultural rights;
6-2. Matters concerning the enhancement of the right to access cultural activities of persons with disabilities;
7. Matters concerning creating and utilizing cultural and leisure facilities;
8. Matters concerning fostering culture-related personnel and progressive education on culture;
9. Matters concerning surveying, researching, and developing policies on culture;
10. Matters concerning raising and operating funds for promoting culture;
11. Matters concerning safety, sanitation, and disease control regarding infectious diseases, etc. in cultural and leisure facilities, etc.;
12. Matters concerning addressing the cultural gap between regions and promoting balanced culture;
13. Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, necessary for promoting culture.
(4) Deleted. <Nov. 26, 2019>
(5) Deleted. <Nov. 26, 2019>
[Title Amended on Nov. 26, 2019]
Article 8-2(Formulation of annual implementation plan) #
(1) The head of relevant competent central administrative agencies shall formulate an annual implementation plan for cultural promotion (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan") in accordance with a fundamental plan.
(2) The heads of relevant central administrative agencies shall submit an implementation plan for the relevant year and the implementation outcomes for the preceding year to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism each year, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(3) Other matters necessary for formulating and implementing an implementation plan, submitting the implementation outcomes, etc., shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Added on Nov. 26, 2019]
Article 9(Implementation of cultural policies by field for promoting culture) #
The State and local governments shall endeavor to formulate and implement cultural policies concerning the following to promote culture: <Amended on May 16, 2023>
1. Conservation and utilization of national heritage and traditional culture pursuant to Article 3 of the Framework Act on National Heritage;
2. Developing and conserving Korean Language;
3. Promoting cultural arts;
4. Promoting cultural industry;
5. Developing and utilizing cultural resources;
6. Promoting cultural welfare;
7. Encouraging leisure and culture industry;
8. Managing and creating cultural landscapes;
9. Encouraging international cultural exchanges and cooperation;
10. Encouraging regional culture;
11. Encouraging cultural exchanges between the South and the North in the Korean peninsula.
Article 9-2(Utilization of results of cultural impact assessment) #
(1) Where the head of a central administrative agency or the head of a local government has conducted a cultural impact assessment, he or she shall submit a cultural impact assessment report stating the assessment results on relevant plans and policies, and the results of reflecting the assessment report in the relevant plans and policies, to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
(2) In order to examine matters submitted under paragraph (1), the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may hear the opinions of the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies and the heads of local governments or request the submission of necessary materials. In such cases, a person in receipt of such request shall comply therewith, unless there is good cause.
(3) Where it is necessary to supplement or adjust plans or policies after examining matters submitted under paragraph (1), the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may request the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies or the heads of local governments to supplement or adjust the plans or policies. In such cases, a person in receipt of such request shall comply therewith, unless there is good cause.
(4) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall submit a cultural impact assessment report under paragraph (1) and the results of reflecting the assessment report in the relevant plans and policies (including matters supplemented and adjusted under paragraph (3)) to the National Assembly by no later than June 30 of the following year.
[This Article Added on Mar. 25, 2025]
Article 9-3(Designation of cultural impact assessment institutions) #
(1) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may designate any of the following institutions or organizations as a cultural impact assessment institution (hereinafter referred to as “assessment institution”):
1. A national or public research institute;
2. A research institute funded by the State or local governments;
3. A university or college defined in Article 2 of the Higher Education Act;
4. A non-profit corporation established under Article 32 of the Civil Act, which conducts policy research and academic affairs in the field of culture.
(2) A person who intends to conduct a cultural impact assessment prescribed by Presidential Decree may have an assessment institution prepare a cultural impact assessment report on his or her behalf.
(3) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may revoke the designation of an assessment institution if it falls under any of the following subparagraphs; provided, if it falls under subparagraph 1, the designation shall be revoked:
1. If it is designated by fraud or other improper means;
2. If it no longer meets the designation standards under paragraph (4);
3. Where it fails to perform designated business affairs for at least 1 month without good cause.
(4) Matters necessary for the criteria and procedures for designation of an assessment institution under paragraph (1) and the revocation of designation thereof under paragraph (3), and the operation thereof and others shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Added on Mar. 25, 2025]
Article 9-4(Designation of institutions in charge of cultural impact assessment) #
(1) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may designate an institution exclusively in charge of cultural impact assessment (hereinafter referred to as "institution in charge of assessment") in order to efficiently implement projects related to cultural impact assessment:
1. Survey and research on the development of cultural impact assessment indicators, etc.;
2. Education and training related to cultural impact assessment;
3. Establishment and operation of the integrated assessment system for cultural impact assessment;
4. Evaluation of the assessment institutions;
5. Support for the examination of cultural impact assessment reports, etc. under Article 9-2 (2) and (3);
6. Other projects necessary to achieve the objectives of designation of an institution in charge of assessment.
(2) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may subsidize expenses necessary for the operation of an institution in charge of assessment within budgetary limits.
(3) If an institution in charge of assessment designated under paragraph (1) falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may revoke its designation or suspend all or part of its business affairs for a specified period not exceeding 6 months; provided, if it falls under subparagraph 1, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall revoke its designation:
1. If it is designated by fraud or other improper means;
2. If it no longer satisfies the designation criteria under paragraph (4);
3. If it becomes impracticable to continue to perform the duties of an institution in charge of assessment due to any other substantial reasons related to public interests.
(4) Matters necessary for the criteria and procedures for the designation of an institution in charge of assessment under paragraph (1) and for the revocation of designation and the suspension of business affairs thereof under paragraph (3), and the operation thereof and others shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Added on Mar. 25, 2025]
Article 10(Fosterage of cultural personnel) #
(1) The State and local governments shall create foundations for fostering cultural personnel; and shall implement policies necessary therefor.
(2) The State and local governments shall conduct education to spread cultural values and promote culture.
Article 11(Survey, research, and development for promoting culture) #
(1) The State and local governments shall survey and research the actual cultural enjoyment to increase the rights of citizens in the enjoyment of culture by improving the quality of life of citizens and narrowing regional cultural gaps.
(2) The State and local governments shall encourage surveying, researching, and developing cultural policies for promoting culture; and shall take measures to implement such policies.
(3) The State and local governments may designate and operate a dedicated institution specialized in the research, study, and development of cultural policies, and a dedicated institution specialized in supporting the cultural informatization, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025>
Article 11-2(Establishment of the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute) #
(1) The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute (hereinafter referred to as "the Institute"), shall be established to conduct research, survey, and evaluation on developing cultural arts and promoting the cultural industry and tourism.
(2) The Institute shall be a corporation.
(3) The Institute shall have executive officers and employees, as prescribed by its articles of incorporation.
(4) The Government may contribute or subsidize necessary expenses for operating, etc., of the Institute, within budgetary limits. <Amended on May 18, 2021>
(5) The Institute shall perform the following projects to achieve its purpose of establishment:
1. Survey and research on promoting cultural arts and fostering the cultural industry;
2. Survey, evaluation, and research on cultural tourism;
3. Survey and research on creating environment for cultural welfare;
4. Survey and research on promoting traditional culture and life culture;
5. Survey and research on the leisure and culture industry;
6. Research on the cultural arts of the North in the Korean Peninsula;
7. Projects for exchanges and research cooperation with domestic and international research institutes; and with international organizations;
8. Production, analysis, and service of policy information and statistics related to cultural arts, cultural industry, and tourism;
9. Publication and publicity of the outcomes of survey and research;
10. Other projects necessary to achieve the purpose of establishing the Institute.
(6) Except as provided in this Act and the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, the provisions of the Civil Act governing incorporated foundations shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Institute.
(7) No person, other than the Institute referred to in this Act, shall use the name "the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute" or any similar name.
[This Article Added on May 29, 2016]
Article 11-3(Establishment of the Korea Culture Information Service Agency) #
(1) In order to support the policy development and project implementation related to cultural informatization by the State, local governments, and public institutions, etc. the Korea Culture Information Service Agency (hereinafter referred to as the "KCISA") shall be established.
(2) The KCISA shall be a corporation.
(3) The KCISA shall have executive officers and employees, as prescribed by its articles of incorporation.
(4) The State may provide funding or support for the operation and activities of the KCISA within budgetary limits.
(5) The KCISA shall perform the following projects to achieve its purpose of establishment:
1. Support for the formulation of plans related to cultural informatization, such as action plans for intelligent information society under Article 7 of the Framework Act on Intelligent Informatization;
2. Planning, research, study, and development of policies, laws, systems and technologies related to cultural informatization;
3. Providing technical support for cultural informatization projects of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and its affiliated institutions;
4. Projects for the collection, management, integration, and support for the use of personal information in the cultural sector;
5. Establishment, management, and operation of the cultural information service system, and support for the integrated management and operation of cultural information resources;
6. Education and training for the development of specialized personnel in cultural informatization;
7. Support for international exchange and cooperation and overseas expansion for the spread of cultural informatization;
8. Informatization projects for the revitalization of cultural projects and support for business affairs;
9. Projects entrusted by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;
10. Other projects necessary to achieve the purpose of establishing the KCISA.
(6) Except as otherwise provided in this Act and the Act on the Management of Public Institutions, the provisions on incorporated foundations in the Civil Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the KCISA.
Article 12(Cultural events) #
(1) The month of October each year shall be designated as the Cultural Month to enhance cultural awareness and understanding and attract proactive participation in cultural activities; and the third Saturday of October each year shall be designated as a Cultural Day.
(2) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may designate and operate cultural days additionally for citizens to participate in cultural activities in daily life, in addition to events held under paragraph (1). <Amended on May 29, 2016>
(3) Matters concerning events in the Cultural Month and cultural days and concerning the designation and operation of cultural days, shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Added on May 29, 2016>
[Title Amended on May 29, 2016]
Article 12-2(Reporting to National Assembly) #
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall finalize a fundamental plan, an implementation plan for the relevant year, and the implementation outcomes for the preceding year and submit them to the competent standing committee of the National Assembly without delay.
[This Article Added on Nov. 26, 2019]
Article 13(Financial support of culture promoting projects) #
(1) The State and local governments shall provide necessary financial support to culture promoting projects, within budgetary limits.
(2) The State shall endeavor to establish systems and conditions for raising funds and encouraging donations from the private sector to promote culture.
Article 13-2(Administrative fines) #
(1) Any of the following persons shall be subject to an administrative fine not exceeding 1 million won: <Amended on Mar. 25, 2025>
1. A person who uses the name of the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute or any other name similar thereto, in violation of Article 11-2 (7);
2. A person who uses the name of the Korea Culture Information Service Agency or any other name similar thereto, in violation of Article 11-3 (7).
(2) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall impose and collect administrative fines under paragraph (1).
[This Article Added on May 29, 2016]