Posted February. 15, 2001 19:33,
The 21st century is the age of culture and cultural contents are the decisive factor determining national competitiveness. However, our cultural contents industry is still in its preliminary stages. The total amount of revenue earned by cultural contents businesses such as movie companies and broadcasters accounted for less than one percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Against this backdrop, it is significant that the government decided to establish Korea¨ÑMuseum for the development of cultural contents. In particular, with the launch of digital broadcasting, it is expected that over 1,000 broadcasting channels will be inaugurated and that the Internet population will reach as many as 30 million.
The projected digital firm plans to create a database of the nation`s cultural legacies and intensively develop high-value added products including films, games and animations. At the same time, the company decided to enter the investment and marketing fields.
Yet there are concerns about the government`s move to undertake myriad projects under its initiative. Measures need to be worked out to address such concerns. First of all, from the creation of the digital firm, competent civic experts should be allowed to contribute their expertise to the effort. And specialists capable of domestic and foreign marketing also need to be recruited.
In this process, the government ought to gradually reduce the extent of its intervention in the program. Also important is to foster high-tech experts to engage in the research and development of cultural contents. There is currently a distinct shortage of these kinds of specialists. In this regard, notable is the government`s plan to inaugurate courses in contents and related fields of study in order to train specialized producers.
It is said that the projected Korea¨ÑMuseum will be inaugurated with an initial outlay of 200 billion won, the responsibility for footing the bill divided equally between public and private enterprises. In order to make the project a success, private funds need to be actively induced. In this connection, it is imperative to give sufficient explanations of the projected benefits of investing, including estimated incomes over time. At the same time, confidence should be built in the prospects for the project. Clearly, no one will invest in the project without hope of success. Concrete measures should be worked out with regard to developing and utilizing the cultural contents. It is hoped that the Korea¨ÑMuseum will become an outpost in the progress toward creating a culturally advanced nation.