Kwon Hyeok-jung, the new chairman of the Chungju Culture and Tourism Foundation [Provided by Chungju City]
Kwon Hyeok-jung, the new chairman of the Chungju Culture and Tourism Foundation [Provided by Chungju City]

Chungju City in North Chungcheong Province has appointed Kwon Hyeok-jung, a former senior official at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, as the new chairman of the Chungju Culture and Tourism Foundation.

Kwon was selected through an open recruitment process and a review by the executive recommendation committee, receiving his letter of appointment on Monday. He will serve out the remainder of his predecessor's term through Dec. 31 this year. The previous chairman, Baek In-wook, resigned last month.

Chungju City said Kwon built deep expertise across culture, tourism and sports at the central government level before retiring in December 2017. The city assessed him as the right person to lead the foundation's growth, citing his strong understanding of local conditions and his administrative experience bridging central and regional government.

"Drawing on my administrative experience at the central government, I will devote my full efforts to enhancing the value of Chungju's culture and tourism," Kwon said. "Through rigorous management evaluation, I will strengthen the foundation's substance and rebuild it into an institution trusted by citizens and local artists."

The city plans to launch a new recruitment process for the next chairman in October, and Kwon is expected to apply.

The Chungju Culture and Tourism Foundation was established by Chungju City in 2006. It is responsible for preserving and developing Jungwon culture, supporting cultural and artistic creation, and organizing cultural tourism festivals. The mayor of Chungju served concurrently as chairman from 2017 until 2021, when the foundation transitioned to a civilian chairman structure.


terry@heraldcorp.com