Forum discusses the future of K-culture, youth, and digital technology

Dongguk University WISE Campus held the K-Glocal Culture Forum on October 9 as a partner program of The World Gyeongju Forum 2026. The forum began at 2 p.m. in Room 203 at the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO). 

The forum’s theme was “The Future of K-Culture Led by Youth: New Opportunities for Cultural and Creative Industries and Local Communities.” About 60 people took part, including government officials from culture, tourism and arts, local artists, university members, and young people.

Ryu Wanha, president of Dongguk University WISE Campus, gave the opening remarks. Im Hwal, chair of the Gyeongju City Council, and Bae Jin-seok, a member of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Council, also gave congratulatory speeches.

The keynote speech was given by Kim Su-min, a theater director and an adviser to the K-Glocal Culture Forum. Kim talked about how Korean cultural and creative industries could reach global markets, focusing on Japan.

The main presentations covered three areas: industry, policy, and education.

Bae Bo-chan, former CEO of NOL Universe, spoke about new opportunities for cultural tourism in Gyeongju, a city with a thousand-year history. Yang Hye-won, head of the Cultural Research Division at the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, discussed policies to support cultural and creative industries and local artists.

Kang Jong-im, head of the Office of Educational Innovation at Dongguk University WISE Campus, explained how local universities can help students prepare for the future, highlighting examples of K-culture and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Her presentation was based on the results of the university's 157 learning modules, which were fully redesigned for the 2026 academic year.

A panel discussion followed the presentations. Professor Kim Nam-hyun of Dongguk University WISE Campus led the discussion, connecting the speakers' ideas with challenges in local communities. Kim Gyeong-ju, a member of the Gyeongju City Council; Cho Young-seok, head of the Gyeongju Theater Association; and Park Mun-hee, a specially appointed professor at Dongguk University WISE Campus, joined the panel.

The university connected the forum with its focus on cultural content education. Participants explored ways to link cultural heritage with new creative work and connect university education with industry. They also discussed how Gyeongju's unique culture could create new opportunities for content and tourism while helping local artists and young people grow together.

President Ryu said, “The K-Glocal Culture Forum is a place to explore new possibilities for K-culture by connecting Gyeongju's thousand-year cultural heritage with young people’s creativity,” and added, "By discussing the cultural industry, local cultural policies, and new approaches to university education together, we hope to help our region's unique culture reach the world."

He also said the university would continue to work with local communities to develop talented people and support regional growth.

Youth Forum Turns Local Experiences into Policy Ideas
Dongguk University WISE Campus also co-hosted the Youth Future Forum with the Gyeongbuk Future Together Youth Volunteer Group. Its theme was ‘Youth Experiences, Gyeongbuk's Promise.’

The forum took place on October 9 in Rooms 205-206 at HICO as another partner program of the 2026 World Gyyeongju Forum. Members of the Gyeongbuk Global Youth Volunteer Group, university students, and other participants shared their experiences of living and settling in Gyeongsangbuk-do. They also discussed how to help young people and international students settle down and build their lives in the region. Based on these discussions, they presented policy ideas for young people and shared their “Future Promises for 2027.”

About the World Gyeongju Forum 2026
The World Gyeongju Forum 2026 was hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and jointly organized by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Gyeongju City, building on the results of the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju and a high-level meeting on cultural and creative industries.

the forum was held under the theme “Shared Prosperity and Growth in a Time of Global Change.”

The forum was held at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO) on October 8–9 under the theme "Shared Prosperity and Growth Led by Culture in a Changing World" and explored ways for countries to work together in history and culture, digital technology and AI, cultural and creative industries, and youth.