The Korean Craft and Design Culture Promotion Agency, which has supported the craft sector for over 25 years, is set to be split into two as part of the government's public institution consolidation plan. The agency's labor union has demanded a comprehensive review of the division plan, stating that it was announced without substantial prior consultation.
On September 8, the Korean Public Transport and Social Services Workers' Union, representing the agency, issued a statement opposing the unilateral division and calling for a full reassessment of the proposal.
According to the government's 'Public Institution Function Reform Promotion Plan,' the Craft Headquarters, Design Headquarters, and Cultural Heritage Team within the agency will be reorganized into a new entity tentatively named the 'Korean Cultural and Arts Industry Promotion Agency,' merging with organizations such as the Arts Management Support Center and the National Museum Cultural Heritage Foundation. Meanwhile, the Traditional Culture Headquarters and Hanbok Center will be integrated with the Korean Cultural Education Promotion Agency to form the 'Korean Cultural Promotion Agency.'
The Craft and Design Culture Promotion Agency is the only entity among those targeted for restructuring by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism that will be split into two and merged into different organizations. The union argues that the workers and the union were not provided with sufficient information prior to the announcement of such a significant restructuring plan, nor was there any meaningful prior consultation.
There is considerable backlash regarding the government's failure to provide adequate justification for the organizational split. The union stated, "Craft, design, traditional culture, and hanbok have developed interrelatedly within a single institution across various areas such as business, policy, distribution, industry, exhibition, and promotion. The government's principle of 'unifying similar and overlapping functions' does not adequately explain the need to divide the agency into two separate institutions."
While the broad framework for the division has been outlined, no specific plans have been presented. The government announcement did not address where common support functions such as strategic planning and management will be placed or how employees will be assigned. The union contends that this does not align with normal public institution restructuring procedures.
The union has called for the disclosure of the policy rationale and criteria for the agency's division, as well as the decision-making process of the relevant government department. They also urged that specific plans regarding employee assignments and work locations be discussed with the union in advance.
A union representative stated, "For 25 years, we have operated a professional public support system under the name of the Korean Craft and Design Culture Promotion Agency. We are absolutely opposed to the decision to separate the agency, especially since it was made without any communication with us."
There are signs that the backlash may extend beyond the agency. The representative noted, "We are currently raising public awareness among those in the craft, design, traditional culture, and hanbok sectors. Discussions are also emerging among professors in the craft field." They added that there is a possibility of further statements from the craft community and plans to seek solidarity with external stakeholders.
Other institutions under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism that are also facing consolidation are beginning to respond. Some agencies are in the process of forming new consultative bodies to address the decision.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.