Culture Minister Choung Byoung-gug says he is seeking to lower individual consumption taxes levied on golf.

Choung revealed such a stance when he appeared on a KBS TV program on Sunday. The minister said he is currently consulting with related government agencies on ways to lower the tax as he cited that golf has been adopted as an official event for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and has emerged as a popular sport in the nation.

Choung said because of individual consumption taxes levied on golf, a growing number of people go abroad to play golf given that it is considered cheaper. Choung said such a trend is leading to tourism deficit.