The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister PARK Bo Gyoon, MCST) together with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (Minister LEE Jung Sik, MOEL) will join forces in earnest to protect labor rights and interests, and to improve the working environment of those in the entertainment management business, which includes formulating a standardized contract form, strengthening training on labor-related laws and regulations, and holding joint meetings, etc., with associations and organizations in the entertainment management industry.

Recent labor inspections[1] conducted by the MOEL have witnessed that field workers (road managers, fashion assistants, etc.) in the entertainment management industry are under abject working conditions due to structural disadvantages including irregular working hours that inevitably revolve around the schedules of the public figures they manage, as well as subcontracting arrangements, etc. To address these issues, the MCST and MOEL decided to band together in a proactive manner to make improvements in the industry’s overall working environment.

First, the MCST and MOEL plan to introduce a standardized subcontract that takes into account the characteristics of the entertainment management industry, such as ensuring appropriate compensation for fashion stylists to help fair subcontracting practices take root.

Second, the two ministries will ensure that major labor-related laws and regulations and violation cases are included in the contents of education[2] for pop culture and arts planners organized by the MCST, and they will improve training sessions by having labor inspectors directly participate in them.

Third, by holding joint meetings with associations and organizations in the field of entertainment management, both ministries will encourage a healthy working environment to be created. Additionally, they will host regular sessions of inter-ministerial consultations for smoother and more efficient collaborations.

On November 17 (Thur), Minister PARK met broadcasting producers and listened their voice and agreed to expand the investigation of labor environment of the broadcasting producers, complement broadcasting standardized contract form. In line with this, MCST and MOEL will collaborate to create culture of developing standardized contract.

An official from MCST said, "K-Culture's exceptional competitiveness and stellar achievements would not have been possible without a spirit of challenge, passion, and tenacity demonstrated by the stars, artists, and staff members in Korea’s entertainment management industry. By putting forth policy efforts, we must strive to protect and empower the rights and interests of those involved in this field, as this will prove to help expand reach of the pop culture industry of Korea. The MCST is committed to forging closer cooperation with related ministries to lay the foundation for Korea to be more culturally attractive.”