Culture ministry to merge Gugak Broadcasting with traditional performing arts foundation

The culture ministry said Tuesday it will merge Gugak Broadcasting and the Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Foundation, a step it says will strengthen the base for promoting Korean traditional music and the performing arts.

Under a provisional name, the Gugak Culture Industry Promotion Agency, the combined body would link Gugak Broadcasting's capacity to distribute and popularize traditional music content through media with the foundation's work supporting the creation and production of traditional performing arts. Gugak Broadcasting has handled the distribution and popularization of Gugak content through broadcasting, while the foundation has supported creative and production activities in traditional performing arts and trained personnel. The ministry said it expects the combination of the broadcaster's promotional reach through media and the foundation's creative and production capabilities to generate a greater effect, and to improve the efficiency of policy implementation.

The move follows the public institution reform plan announced on Sept. 3, which calls for reducing the total number of public institutions in Korea by 109 after review and resolution by the 11th Public Institution Management Committee.

The ministry plans to form a joint task force with both organizations and consult with them on an implementation plan and follow-up procedures, including revisions to relevant laws. It said it will continue support so the merged institution can serve as a central pillar for promoting Gugak and traditional arts in line with demand from the field.