Polityka kulturalna Korei Południowej w dobie globalizacji
The Cultural Policy of the Republic of Korea in the Era of Globalisation

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to shed light on the evolution of the cultural policy of the Republic of Korea in the era of globalisation. The issue is analysed through a historical approach and by consideration of social, political and economic changes in South Korea. The author points out to the significance of the global strategy of Korea in relation to culture. The author intends to demonstrate that not so long ago, in the 1990s, cultural policy was recognised by successive governments as an important part of South Korea’s general policy of the state. To keep pace with the rapidly changing global environment, the Republic of Korea found that national culture can be an effective source of political influence called “soft power” that empowers the state in the modern world. Over the last thirty years, Korean pop culture: music (K-pop), film (K-movie), fashion (K-fashion), food (K-food) have become a major export product. Although initially the “Korean wave” was a surprise to the Koreans themselves, who could hardly believe that national culture can become an export commodity, the Korean Government quickly realised that it was possible to achieve high profits and thus the country consciously began to promote Hallyu. The Korean Government has consistently supported exports of Hallyu, accepting its social side effects. The paper also contains a brief characterisation of the “Korean wave” and the social effects of its implementation. The author comes to the conclusion that the Republic of Korea successfully implements its cultural policy objectives within the overall strategy of globalisation because the “Korean wave” has substantially changed perceptions of the Republic of Korea in the world.

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