The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced it will accept applications from regional cultural foundations and universities from Sunday through March 20 to operate the "Youth K-Culture Global Frontier" program, in partnership with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange.
The Youth K-Culture Global Frontier program enables young people to independently promote K-culture at overseas cultural sites, build sustainable international cultural exchange networks, and develop into talent with global competencies.
The ministry is seeking approximately 11 organizations to plan and operate overseas dispatch programs for Korean nationals aged 19 to 39 who aspire to gain international experience. Applications will be accepted in two categories: an "organization-proposed" track where institutions design programs and recruit participants in advance, and a "participant-proposed" track where young people directly suggest destination countries and project plans.
Participants will conduct international cultural projects for up to two months, including a minimum two-week overseas stay. This structure aims to harmonize institutional expertise with the creative and independent ideas of young participants.
Eligible fields span literature, visual arts, performing arts, traditional arts, and hanbok, as well as general arts including film, broadcasting, and popular music, and lifestyle categories such as food, beauty, and fashion. Programs may be conducted in any of the 30 countries where Korean Cultural Centers operate, with organizations free to design projects within those locations.
Selected organizations will receive funding for airfare, accommodation, and activity expenses required for overseas dispatch and program operations. Depending on the number of participants dispatched, regional cultural foundations may receive up to 590 million won per organization, while universities may receive up to 295 million won. Detailed information and application forms are available on the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange website.
"The Youth K-Culture Global Frontier program is a pilot initiative launching for the first time this year," the ministry said. "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to actively support young people with pride and passion for K-culture to fully pursue their dreams on the world stage and grow into leaders of international cultural exchange."