Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung-ryul) Graduate School of Public Administration (Dean Ha Hyun-sang) and the National Heritage Function Association (Chairman Han Jin-seok) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 11, 2025, at Kookmin University to promote the training of cultural and arts administrators and K-cultural heritage through public-private cooperation education.

Following the recent revision of the National Heritage Basic Act and the reorganization of government agencies related to national heritage, various national and regional heritage promotion policies are being aggressively pursued by the government and local governments. In response to the increasing demand for field-oriented heritage management professionals and the cultivation of interdisciplinary curators with value-creation capabilities, the Graduate School of Public Administration has established the 'Cultural Arts Administration Major“ to the existing ”Museum and Art Museum Major" to actively promote the training of convergent curators who can drive the promotion of national heritage and K-culture and arts.

The signing ceremony for the agreement was attended by Ha Hyun-sang, Dean of the Graduate School of Public Administration at Kookmin University; Kim Yeon-hee, Chair of the Museum and Art Museum Major and Chair of the Cultural Arts Administration Major; Eom Won-sik, Chairman of the National Heritage Function Association; Kim Sik-kyung, Senior Vice Chairman; Kim Jin-wook, Vice Chairman, and others attended the ceremony to discuss practical mutual cooperation measures for the development of the cultural heritage and arts fields and the cultivation of convergent curatorial professionals for value-creating K-culture and arts.

Founded in 1988, the National Heritage Crafts Association is a representative organization of national heritage craftsmen who have been dedicated to the preservation of our country's cultural heritage and the transmission of traditional techniques. Currently, it has over 13,000 members active in 24 fields, including carpentry, woodworking, sculpture, painting (traditional Korean painting), copying, framing, gilding, underfloor heating, plastering, and landscaping, and outstanding artisans, including holders of national and local intangible cultural heritage, are working together to continue the tradition of traditional culture. Additionally, the National Heritage Craftsmen Association is committed to preserving and passing down valuable national heritage. It hosts events such as the Traditional Techniques Promotion Competition for National Heritage Restoration Craftsmen, National Heritage Restoration Specialized Education, and National Heritage Craftsmen Works Exhibitions to actively support the improvement of craftsmen's skills and foster exchange. The association also strives to cultivate future national heritage craftsmen.

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With this agreement, the two institutions will establish a close cooperative relationship between the university and the association and collaborate in various areas, including education, mutual issues and policy responses, and other necessary matters. At the signing ceremony, Ha Hyun-sang, Dean of the Graduate School of Public Administration, stated, “As the demand for the Korean Wave to expand beyond its current popularity and establish a firm global position as a cultural powerhouse grows, this agreement with the National Heritage Craftsmen Association marks a meaningful first step toward cultivating field-oriented cultural arts administration professionals.”He also expressed his ambitious goal, saying, “The Graduate School of Public Administration at Kookmin University will take the lead in cultivating public cultural heritage and cultural arts curators with world-class value creation capabilities in collaboration with the National Heritage Professionals Association.”

Graduate School of Public Administration Signs Academic Cooperation Agreement with National Heritage Professionals Association