A poster illustrating Korean content exports, inbound tourism and public leisure satisfaction / Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Korea’s cultural and tourism sectors hit historic highs during the first year of Lee Jae Myung's administration, driven by aggressive fiscal support, relaxed visa requirements and a global surge in demand for Korean entertainment, the government said Tuesday.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported that outbound cultural exports, collectively known as "K-content," reached a record $14.9 billion in 2025. Concurrently, international tourist arrivals surged to an all-time high of 18.94 million, putting the country within striking distance of its ambitious long-term travel targets.
The figures underscore Seoul’s strategic shift to treat its cultural output not merely as a tool for diplomatic soft power, but as a core engine of economic growth. Faced with a slowing manufacturing sector, policymakers have increasingly leaned into intellectual property, digital entertainment and services to stabilize the economy.
To sustain the momentum of K-content, the government is rapidly expanding its specialized policy financing. The state-backed venture capital pool for the creative sector — specifically the culture and movie accounts of the main government fund — is being expanded to a record 731.8 billion won ($531 million) in 2026 to serve as seed money for industry growth. This initiative is running alongside the creation of a separate 150 billion won "Global League" fund explicitly aimed at drawing in foreign capital.
