Twenty film industry organizations urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to appoint Youngjin Chairman, a position that has been vacant for four months.
On the 26th, the Korean Film Council, which consists of 20 film industry organizations, issued a press release saying, “The Korean Film Council (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Korean Film Council’) is suffering from a setback as it is unable to elect a long-term chairman and operates under an acting system,” adding, “Among the nine members, The term of office of the two members ended on January 8, but the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’) has not appointed new members,” he said.
The Youngjin Committee has been operating under an acting system since former Chairman Park Ki-yong retired on January 31 after completing his term as a member.
The Korean Film Industry Association said, “The Korean film industry, which has suffered greatly from the aftereffects of the coronavirus pandemic, is currently in a serious crisis. Meanwhile, the 2024 budget of the Korean Film Council was drastically reduced at the end of last year, and the entire film industry is frozen. Film festivals have had their support budgets drastically reduced. “We are facing a harsh situation, with the number of film festivals supported being limited to 10,” he said, referring to the Korean film industry in crisis.
In addition, he criticized, “Budgets for the creation and distribution of independent and artistic films and support for film planning and production have also been greatly reduced, and there are numerous items that have been completely cut, such as animation budgets and regional budgets.” In addition, the 'Korean Film Night' event, which was held every May when the Cannes Film Festival was held, was abolished due to lack of budget.
The Korean Film Council said, “May is an important time for the Korean Film Council to set and decide on next year's budget,” and added, “At a time when the government and the film industry are working together to overcome the crisis in the Korean film industry, it is not enough, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is responsible for promoting Korean films.” “It is not enough to drastically cut the film industry, and the crisis in the film industry and the film industry is amplifying by leaving the leadership vacuum in the film industry for a long period of time,” he said.
At the same time, he strongly urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to “appoint a new Youngjin Committee member as soon as possible so that the Youngjin Committee can no longer drift and begin to overcome the film industry crisis.” In addition, he requested, “Dialogue and communicate with the film industry regarding budget establishment for 2025 and actively participate in overcoming the crisis in the Korean film industry.”
The Film People's Association includes the Korean Art Theater Association, Korean Film Producers' Association, Korean Cinematographers' Guild, Korean Film Producers' Association, Korean Screen Actors Guild, Korean Film Society, Korean Film Commission, Korean Visual Media Education Association, Korean Cinematheque Council, and Korean Scenario. It is made up of about 20 organizations, including the Writers' Guild.
(SBS Entertainment News Reporter Kim Ji-hye)
