South Korea is taking a new step to preserve and promote its traditional arts by merging two public organizations, aiming to bring Korean traditional music to wider audiences at home and around the world.
South Koreaβs Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on October 27, 2026, that it plans to merge the Gugak Broadcasting Foundation with the Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation.
The two organizations have different but complementary roles. Gugak Broadcasting Foundation operates Gugak FM and distributes traditional Korean music through broadcasting. The Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation supports traditional performances, helps develop new productions and trains professionals in the field.
By bringing these functions together, the government hopes to connect artistic creation with media promotion, making traditional Korean culture more accessible to the public.
The initiative focuses on gugak, the broad term for traditional Korean music. It includes court and ceremonial music, folk traditions and pansori, a distinctive form of musical storytelling performed by a singer accompanied by a drummer.
As K-pop, Korean dramas and films continue to attract international audiences, the merger represents a parallel effort to strengthen the visibility of Koreaβs traditional cultural heritage.
The government also expects the consolidation to reduce overlapping responsibilities and improve the efficiency of public cultural institutions.
A task force involving both organizations will develop a phased implementation plan and work on the necessary legal changes. The ministry has not yet announced a final name for the merged organization or a date when the merger will take effect.
The long-term goal is to establish a stronger platform for creating, broadcasting and promoting traditional Korean arts.
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