Ministry of Culture Allocates 792.5 Billion Won for Youth Culture Pass in 2027 Budget
Target Audience Expanded to Ages 19–34… Government Subsidy of 100,000 Won for Seoul Metropolitan Area and 150,000 Won for Non-Metropolitan Areas
Support to Expand from Performances, Exhibitions, Movies, and Books to Include the Sports Sector
Regional Accessibility and Fiscal Performance Need Assessment Ahead of National Assembly Deliberations
As the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) allocated 792.5 billion won for the Youth Culture Pass in its 2027 budget proposal, Minister Choi Hwi-young re-explained measures to expand cultural enjoyment opportunities for youth on the 1st, ahead of the National Assembly's budget deliberations. The government proposal expands the eligible demographic to individuals aged 19 to 34 and provides government subsidies ranging from 100,000 to 150,000 won per person depending on the region.
According to the budget proposal announced by the ministry in September, the existing Youth Culture and Arts Pass will be expanded to apply to young people aged 19 to 34, with plans to provide government subsidies of 100,000 won for residents in the Seoul metropolitan area and 150,000 won for those in non-metropolitan areas. The proposal also includes expanding the scope of usage beyond performances and exhibitions to movies, books, and the sports sector.
Minister Choi explained via social media that day that the Youth Culture and Sports Pass is a system designed to increase cultural enjoyment opportunities for young people. The ministry submitted its 2027 budget proposal totaling 9.6345 trillion won, including this project, to the National Assembly. The support details and budget are subject to change based on the National Assembly's deliberation process.
Alongside the expansion of support funds, it is equally important to ensure that young people can actually access cultural and sports facilities and services available in their residential areas. The National Assembly and the government must transparently examine regional utilization rates and fiscal effectiveness, and review execution methods to ensure that the benefits translate into practical choices.