Youth Culture Pass extended to ages 19–34 — Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 2027 budget proposal of 9.6345 trillion won
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
From 2027 the supported age range for the 'Youth Culture Pass' (청년문화패스) widens to 19–34, with national support per person of 100,000 won in the Seoul metropolitan area and 150,000 won outside it.
Key facts
| Total size | Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 2027 budget proposal of 9.6345 trillion won (22.6% more than in 2026). It is the first time the ministry's budget has exceeded 9 trillion won |
|---|---|
| Youth Culture Pass | 792.5 billion won invested. The 'Youth Culture and Arts Pass' is fully expanded into the 'Youth Culture Pass' and the supported age range widened to 19–34 |
| Support amount | National support per person: 100,000 won in the Seoul metropolitan area, 150,000 won outside the metropolitan area |
| Fields of use | Already widened from performances and exhibitions to films and books, and set to cover sports activities from 2027 |
| Integrated Culture Voucher | 322.1 billion won invested. Eligibility expanded to 2.86 million basic livelihood security recipients and people in the near-poverty bracket, with an additional 50,000 won for 390,000 residents of 89 areas of population decline |
| Support for artists | 'Support for the basic livelihood security of artists' expanded to 31.1 billion won — wider support for industrial accident insurance and national pension contributions, and new support for health check-up costs from 2027. Loans for artists' living stability comprise 20 billion won for living costs and 40 billion won for rental deposits |
| Allocation by sector | Culture and arts 3.8545 trillion won, content 1.7719 trillion won, tourism 1.7581 trillion won, sport 1.8333 trillion won |
Last checked:
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (문화체육관광부) said on September 4, 2026 that it has drawn up its 2027 budget proposal at 9.6345 trillion won, 22.6% more than in 2026. The 'Youth Culture and Arts Pass' (청년문화예술패스) is being fully expanded into the 'Youth Culture Pass' (청년문화패스) with an investment of 792.5 billion won, and the supported age range widens to 19–34. National support per person is 100,000 won in the Seoul metropolitan area and 150,000 won outside it, and the fields in which it can be used, already widened from performances and exhibitions to films and books, are set to cover sports activities as well from 2027. For the 'Integrated Culture Voucher' (통합문화이용권) for vulnerable groups, 322.1 billion won is being invested to expand eligibility to 2.86 million basic livelihood security recipients and people in the near-poverty bracket, with an additional 50,000 won for 390,000 residents of 89 areas of population decline. 'Support for the basic livelihood security of artists' (예술인 기초생활보장 지원), which helps artists enrol in social insurance, is also expanded to 31.1 billion won.
Background — why this change
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (문화체육관광부) explained that its 2027 budget proposal focuses investment on 5 changes: strengthening the foundations of a culturally strong country through a creative safety net for artists and investment in the basic arts; expanding young people's enjoyment of culture and their work experience in the cultural field; accelerating the rapid advance of K-culture; a major shift in regional tourism; and creating an environment in which anyone can enjoy sport safely in everyday life. For investment in work experience for young people, opportunities for graduates in arts and culture aged 34 and under to work as trainee members of private and public arts organisations are expanded to 600 people, 352 youth internships in arts industry planning and management are newly created, and field-based youth internships in the games sector are expanded to 500 people.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Up to what age can the Youth Culture Pass be received?
The supported age range widens to 19–34. National support per person is 100,000 won in the Seoul metropolitan area and 150,000 won outside the metropolitan area.
What can the Youth Culture Pass be used for?
The fields of use, already widened from performances and exhibitions to films and books, are set to cover sports activities as well from 2027.
Can basic livelihood security recipients also receive support for cultural spending?
322.1 billion won is being invested in the 'Integrated Culture Voucher' (통합문화이용권), expanding eligibility to 2.86 million basic livelihood security recipients and people in the near-poverty bracket, with an additional 50,000 won for 390,000 residents of 89 areas of population decline.