![Singer Lee Seung Gi. Lee was recently embroiled in a controversy over his contract with his agency, Hook Entertainment, which allegedly made threats against Lee and failed to pay him dues for 18 years. [JOONGANG PHOTO]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2023/01/01/1169ee1d-f1dc-4d4e-8cf7-beecf712df59.jpg)
Singer Lee Seung Gi. Lee was recently embroiled in a controversy over his contract with his agency, Hook Entertainment, which allegedly made threats against Lee and failed to pay him dues for 18 years. [JOONGANG PHOTO]
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will eradicate “unreasonable” practices in the entertainment industry (such as excessive labor and non-fulfillment of contracts by artists) on the 25th in order to put an end to scandals such as recent controversies surrounding the entertainment industry. clarified the policy. Singer Lee Seung Gi has been unpaid by her former agency Hook Entertainment.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Sunday that it will dismantle unfair binding contract practices in the entertainment industry through annual reports on labor practices and amendments to existing laws, including the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Act.
The announcement follows Lee’s 18-year unresolved payment contract and legal battle over alleged agency intimidation. Social discourse related to the nature of contracts between artists and agencies has intensified recently, according to a Ministry of Culture release on Sunday.
In particular, cases of popular culture artists who do not have a large following and are “exploited” are becoming increasingly serious, the culture ministry said Sunday.
Culture Minister Park Bo-kyun said, “At a time when Korean culture maintains a lot of attention and admiration, strengthening the entertainment industry ecosystem will seek continued growth and protect the weak within the industry. important above all,” he said. “Our goal is to promote equity in the popular culture arts industry as a core project next year.”
Specifically, the Ministry of Culture will amend Article 13 of the Act on Popular Culture and Arts Industry to ensure that more administrative measures are taken in addition to warnings and recommendations to companies in the event of unfair contracts. made it clear. Remedial actions such as fines and being subject to Fair Trade Commission investigations are possible.
Article 18 of the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Law publishes a biennial survey on the status, market size, and working environment of the popular culture and arts industry. As of 2021, 4,610 companies are registered in the entertainment industry, with 1,416 companies covered by the latest survey.
The Lim Jong-sung National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee has proposed a law to protect industrial workers, especially the young. The Ministry of Culture will make available educational programs for young workers wishing to enter the industry, such as a program on rights granted when signing a contract, the ministry said.
Im Jeong Won [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]
