What is "ingan-munhwage"

An Ingan-munhwage (literally, human cultural asset) is a person with the ability to make or perform one of the officially designated Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea. Ingan-munhwage status is designated by the South Korean government. Intangible culture assets are organized within 108 different aspects of Korean traditional culture, from Korean traditional dance to building techniques. In Korea, the Minister of Culture and Tourism designates who has ingan-munhwage status and protects their rights. He is advised by the Cultural Heritage Committee under the Cultural Properties Protection Law. Once people are designated as an ingan-munhwage, they have rights to government support for transmission of their cultural performance and have responsibility to show that ability and train younger students. If there are no special problems, the designated ingan-munwhage expires with his or her death.