Kim Joo-won, right, newly-appointed artistic director of the Korean National Ballet, poses with Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young during an appointment ceremony held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Star ballerina Kim Joo-won has been appointed as the new artistic director of the Korea National Ballet, filling the leadership that was left vacant after Kang Sue-jin stepped down in April following a 12-year tenure.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed the 49-year-old artist as the new artistic director of the state-run institute. Her term will end in August 2029.
Founded in 1962, the Korean National Ballet is the nation’s flagship ballet company. The ministry expressed expectations that Kim's appointment will help broaden the audience base for ballet and enhance the national troupe's international competitiveness.
"Kim is an artist who has grown alongside Korean ballet through her extensive experience as a principal dancer with the Korean National Ballet," Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said.
