Park Jin-young Appointed as First Co-Chair of President’s Directly-Appointed Popular Culture Exchange Committee... Launches on October 1

Park Jin-young, CCO and lead producer at JYP Entertainment, has been appointed as the first co-chair (ministerial level) of the President’s directly-appointed Popular Culture Exchange Committee. The committee will commence its official operations following its inauguration ceremony on October 1. On the 24th, President Lee Jae-myung stated via Facebook that “the Popular Culture Exchange Committee, designed to firmly support the global expansion and development of our popular culture, is taking strong initial steps,” adding that “proud Korean popular cultures such as K-pop, K-dramas, K-movies, and K-games will come to stand at the center of the world stage.” Global K-pop groups including STRAYKIZ and LE SSERAFIM are scheduled to perform at the inauguration ceremony to enhance the festive atmosphere. Established with the goal of fostering public-private cooperation and expanding international networks, the Popular Culture Exchange Committee is headed jointly by Park Jin-young and Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Park Jin-young will oversee the development of national strategies for various aspects of popular culture—including K-pop, dramas, and games—along with international exchange policies, drawing from his experience as a practicing producer. He pioneered the U.S. market through Wonder Girls and has since expanded South Korea’s global presence in popular music by driving generational transitions such as with TWICE and STRAYKIZ. Experts describe him as a figure with extensive experience in experimentation and innovation, expecting him to serve as a bridge by translating on-the-ground challenges into policy discussions that lead to systemic improvements. As K-pop has established itself as a major force in global markets, the industry faces numerous challenges, including copyright protection, fair revenue distribution, support for small agencies, expansion of overseas partnerships, and regulatory reforms related to military service. If the practical issues Park Jin-young has encountered firsthand are institutionalized through this committee, it is expected to have a significant impact on the entire entertainment industry ecosystem. In his remarks, Park Jin-young said, “I will organize the support measures deemed necessary in the industry and turn them into effective policies,” adding that “I will strive to ensure that younger artists can obtain greater opportunities.” This approach aligns with the government’s emphasized “cultural diplomacy strategy” and provides insight into the committee’s future direction.