In 1973 the government initiated a five-year plan to promote Korean culture. It was the beginning of a nationwide project to restore the nationalistic spirit that had been all but killed off by the Japanese colonial government and the Korean War. Museums opened up all across the country and Korean studies were encouraged. Also, Korean musicians, artists, and athletes who won international competitions were applauded as national heroes. However, the government was criticized for applying strict censorship on pop culture. Movies and TV shows became the means to control people and disseminate political ideas. In spite of these disapproving assessments, it is clear that the government-led cultural promotion policy provided a turning point in the history of Korean culture and arts.