South Korean artist welfare policies show heavy Seoul concentration

Government welfare policies for artists and cultural performance support are heavily concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, leaving regional artists in provinces like Daegu and Gyeongbuk largely excluded. According to data released by National Assembly member Kim Yun-deok, while 64% of certified artists reside outside of Seoul, the distribution of benefits tells a different story.

Key disparities include:

- Housing Support: Approximately 86.8% of artists receiving jeonse (lump-sum deposit) loans are located in the metropolitan area. In regions such as Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Gwangju, and Ulsan, there were zero recorded users. - Childcare: The artist childcare support centers are currently operating only in two locations, both within Seoul (Jongno-gu and Mapo-gu). - Performance Grants: Roughly 76.7% of the 60 organizations selected for the 2025 long-term creative support project for performing arts are based in the metropolitan area.

Representative Kim Yun-deok has called for urgent reforms, including the establishment of regional childcare hubs, measures to reduce regional gaps in performance support, and the introduction of non-face-to-face loan screening and mobile services to assist regional artists who currently face complex in-person application processes in Seoul.