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The Cultural Heritage Administration has named Choi Young-chang as new chairman of the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, according to the organization Monday.

The Cultural Heritage Administration has named Choi Young-chang as new chairman of the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, according to the organization Monday.

Choi, a former reporter for daily Munhwa Ilbo newspaper (19922013), research chief at the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (2013-2015) and director of the Jinju National Museum (2015-2020), will lead the public institution at the Cultural Heritage Administration for three years until May 9, 2024.

He majored in history at Korea

University and later received a doctoral degree from the same university.

The organization was established in 1980 to carry out government-led projects to promote the country’s tangible and intangible heritages and allow residents more chances to enjoy traditional culture. It has been hosting cultural events utilizing intangible heritages and conducting research on excavations, as well as international exchanges such as official development assistance (ODA) projects.

The organization hosts the Royal Culture Festival and runs the Korea House.

The 57-year-old pledged that he will focus on expanding digital content as well as international cooperation.

“The Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation undertakes projects for the Cultural Heritage Administration which aims to do its best to allow citizens to enjoy the beauty of our cultural heritage. Even though many organizations are investing in projects for digital content such as AI or VR, there are not enough experts in the field amid the rising demand for online content due to the spread of the coronavirus. So, the foundation plans to increase those experts and staff so that they can more efficiently and practically provide online content,” Choi told The Korea Times, Monday.

“We are also planning to expand ODA projects and their promotion. We have been running ODA projects in various countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Uzbekistan by giving aid and helping them to restore their cultural assets. We will continue to conduct these projects and put more effort into them.”