According to Yonhap News,

(SEOUL=Yonhap News) The government said Thursday it will launch a task force with civilian experts to devise better strategies to help promote the Asianwide boom of South Korean pop culture.

The "hallyu planning body" will be composed of officials from six relevant government agencies, three major TV networks -- KBS, MBC and SBS -- and four major entertainment firms -- S.M., YG, JYP and CJ E&M -- according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The Asianwide popularity of Korean pop music, television dramas and films, a phenomenon known as hallyu, has recently spread to other parts of the world.

The government, however, has come under criticism for lacking efforts to promote relevant industries in an organized way and coordinate development plans separately being pushed by them.

Culture Minister Kim Jong-deok and Ahn Gwang-han, head of the Korean Broadcasters Association, will co-chair the task force to be launched in a ceremony on Friday.

"The civilian-government planning body will discuss overall pending issues on hallyu and culture," Kim said.

sshim@yna.co.kr

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