The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (headed by Minister Choi Hwi-young) announced on the 31st that the "Hanbok Culture Industry Promotion Act," a standalone law designed to systematically promote hanbok — Korea's traditional attire and a cultural asset embodying the nation's history and identity — passed the National Assembly plenary session. The legislation was first introduced in 2013 and went through multiple rounds of proposal and expiration before finally being enacted.
The ministry said the law establishes a legal foundation for promoting hanbok culture and advancing the industry. The legislation requires:
▲ A "Hanbok Culture Industry Promotion Master Plan" to be drawn up every five years with annual implementation plans
▲ Regular industry surveys to be conducted to ensure policy continuity and responsiveness to conditions on the ground
The law also specifies support measures for sustainable industry growth, including:
▲ Training of specialized professionals
▲ Identifying and awarding best practices
▲ Supporting hanbok culture education
▲ Assisting startups and production
▲ Promoting research and development
Notably, the law designates October 21 each year as "Hanbok Day" and mandates the surrounding week be operated as "Hanbok Culture Week," creating an occasion to raise public interest.
The ministry explained that "with the enactment of this law, we will pursue policies in earnest to make hanbok part of everyday life, industrialize it, and globalize it." For "everyday adoption," the ministry plans to expand public participation events linked to major occasions such as traditional holidays and Hanbok Culture Week, and to strengthen cooperation with cultural institutions including national and public museums and regional hanbok culture studios to offer diverse programs that people can enjoy with hanbok.
To support "industrialization," the ministry will expand the "Hanbok Wave" project — which drew attention last year with the participation of actor Park Bo-gum — to help the hanbok industry develop new sales channels. Hanbok designs developed in collaboration with Hallyu stars will be promoted through major electronic billboards and social media both domestically and internationally. The ministry will also operate "Business Days" at the "Hanbok Store" event to be held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul in August this year, and expand cooperation with the industry by improving accessibility to hanbok work attire through online platforms.
For "globalization," the ministry will pursue international promotion in conjunction with major "Fashion Weeks," aiming to enter overseas fashion markets. It also plans to actively showcase hanbok's appeal on the international stage by operating hanbok experience programs and fashion shows at major international events such as the Olympics and Korea Season.
The enacted law will take effect one year after its promulgation. A ministry official expressed expectations that "this will be a turning point for hanbok to leap forward as an asset representing K-culture," adding, "We will communicate closely with those in the field and provide systematic support so that hanbok naturally becomes part of people's daily lives and wins the affection of people around the world."