Authorities to form task force, draft phased implementation plan and revise relevant laws

The fusion gugak ensemble Hwasumok performs at "A Small Concert: Meeting Through Scent and Melody," held at the Changgyeonggung Palace greenhouse in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Monday. [Yonhap]
The fusion gugak ensemble Hwasumok performs at "A Small Concert: Meeting Through Scent and Melody," held at the Changgyeonggung Palace greenhouse in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Monday. [Yonhap]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Tuesday that it will pursue a merger of Gugak Broadcasting and the Korea Traditional Performing Arts Foundation to build a stronger foundation for promoting gugak and traditional arts.

The move follows the government's "Public Institution Function Reform Plan," announced Sept. 3.

Gugak Broadcasting has focused on distributing and popularizing gugak content through broadcasting, while the Korea Traditional Performing Arts Foundation has supported the creation and production of traditional performing arts and the training of artists in the field.

The ministry said the merger will improve policy efficiency and provide comprehensive support for the promotion and spread of gugak and traditional arts. It expects the integration to generate synergies by combining Gugak Broadcasting's media outreach capabilities with the foundation's creative and production strengths.

The ministry plans to form a special task force with both institutions to draft a phased implementation plan and carry out follow-up steps, including revisions to relevant laws.

It also said it will continue to support the merged institution so that it can serve as a central driver of gugak and traditional arts promotion.

The government's reform plan calls for reducing the number of public institutions from 524 to 415, including cutting 11 institutions by consolidating those with overlapping functions.

In addition to Gugak Broadcasting and the Korea Traditional Performing Arts Foundation, the Korea Broadcasting Advertising Corporation and the Korea Communications Agency are also set to be merged into a new body tentatively named the Korea Broadcasting and Media Communications Promotion Agency.


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