An amendment to the Framework Act on Tourism elevating the National Tourism Strategy Council from under the Prime Minister to under the President passed the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee plenary session on the morning of March 26.
The current Framework Act on Tourism stipulates that "the National Tourism Strategy Council shall be established under the Prime Minister to deliberate and coordinate matters concerning the establishment and adjustment of tourism promotion directions and major policies, and the formulation of tourism promotion plans." The revision changes this provision. The amendment passed specifies that "the National Tourism Strategy Council shall be elevated from under the Prime Minister to under the President, with the President serving as chair." The amendment awaits final confirmation through passage at the National Assembly plenary session.
Regarding the amendment's passage, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young responded on behalf of the government: "This will serve as the legal foundation to achieve our goal of attracting 30 million foreign tourists ahead of schedule through strong public-private collaboration and execution."
However, the National Tourism Strategy Council meeting held at Cheongwadae on March 25 was technically still chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. Although policies to "elevate the council to the presidential level" had been promoted since last year, the legislative process was delayed.
At the time, Cheongwadae explained in a press release: "President Lee Jae-myung will attend the 'Expanded National Tourism Strategy Council' held at Cheongwadae today. This marks the first time since 2019 that a president has directly attended the National Tourism Strategy Council."