President Lee Myung-bak said Friday the government should embrace the arts and culture from a broader perspective.

Speaking to Culture Ministry officials at a policy briefing session in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, the president said their ministry has not done its part to develop the cultural content industry.

He added that the government should support the sector with a view to guaranteeing free creative activity.

Mr. Lee also stressed that the government's public relations efforts should now be focused on enhancing Korea's brand value in the global market.

He called on the ministry to play a big role in helping revive the sluggish economy, as it has absorbed the cultural content policy function of the now-defunct Ministry of Information and Communication.