Singer and producer J.Y. Park has been officially appointed as co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Pop Culture Exchange under the Lee Jae-myung administration. The unexpected appointment places him at the forefront of shaping policies for global K-pop expansion.

Strengthening K-Culture's Global Reach

On September 9, Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Presidential Staff, announced the appointment during a briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan. The committee, established as a presidential body, aims to create a public-private cooperation framework to ensure the sustainable growth and global spread of Korean pop culture. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is currently preparing the enforcement ordinance for its operation.

J.Y. Park will serve alongside Minister Choi Hwi-young as the first co-chair of the committee. His appointment recognizes his contributions as one of Korea's leading artists who has tirelessly worked for the globalization of K-pop.

J.Y. Park's Reflections

Through a message shared on social media, Park expressed both concern and determination. "As someone from the entertainment industry, I worried about taking on a government role. But I felt it was important to seize the opportunities K-pop now faces," he wrote.

He recalled milestones from his career, saying, "From the days I handed out promo CDs to U.S. record labels, to the moment Wonder Girls became the first Korean act to enter the Billboard Hot 100, my dream has always been the same—to see K-pop loved around the world."

Vision as Committee Co-Chair

Looking ahead, Park promised to use his industry experience to influence policy. "I will make sure the institutional gaps I felt in the field are addressed through policy. I want to help younger artists gain more opportunities," he pledged.

He concluded with a broader vision: "K-pop should become more than just music. It should be a platform where people across the world can connect and understand each other. As co-chair, I'll do my utmost to achieve that."