Culture minister nominee vows to boost inter-Korean exchanges

(ATTN: UPDATES with nominee's comments on cultural heritage in 6-8 paras) By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's culture minister nominee said Thursday that he will try to increase cultural exchanges with North Korea to cooperate in preserving and developing cultural heritages on the Korean Peninsula. Choe Kwang-sik, 58, who was nominated by President Lee Myung-bak last month, made the remarks at his confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly. "I will put forth efforts to boost inter-Korean cultural exchanges so that the two sides can develop cultural heritages in the South and North as common cultural assets," Choe said. After serving as the director of the National Museum of Korea for three years, the scholar of ancient Korean history was appointed the head of the Korea Heritage Administration in February. During his term as the museum chief, Choe successfully organized a series of big events, including hosting global leaders of the Group of 20 nations at a dinner reception at the museum when Seoul hosted the G-20 summit in November last year. Choe said in the hearing that he would try to list the traditional Korean folk song "Arirang" in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage in cooperation with Pyongyang. "As there are different versions of 'Arirang' in North Korea, I'm thinking of working with the North to register 'Arirang' as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage," he said, noting that preparations are under way to apply for the world heritage title next year. "If appointed, I will discuss (the matter) with the Unification Ministry," which handles inter-Korean relations. Choe expressed concerns over China's recent designation of "Arirang" as its own national cultural heritage, vowing to support preservation of Korea's intangible cultural assets by revising related regulations. The nominee also said he would provide active support to Korean pop culture, which has gained widespread popularity well beyond Asia, and boost the local tourism industry to attract more foreign visitors through a variety of leisure programs. If approved by the National Assembly, Choe will succeed Choung Byoung-gug, who doubled his role as a legislator of the Grand National Party.