Two new members named to board of Korean Film Council

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed two new board members to the state-run film council, which is suffering from a lack of funding.

From left, filmmaker Yang Yun-ho, Culture Minister Yu In-chon and former Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival director Han Sang-jun pose after Yang and Han were appointed as new board members of the Korean Film Council at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Friday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism named two new board members of the state-run film council amid its vacant chairman position.

Culture Minister Yu In-chon appointed two non-standing commissioners — filmmaker Yang Yun-ho, who is also the head of the Motion Pictures Association of Korea, and former Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival director Han Sang-jun — to the Korean Film Council (Kofic) on Friday.

Kofic consists of nine commissioners, including a full-time chairman and eight board members.

The appointment follows the term expiration of two commissioners, including the chairperson and a board member.

The newly appointed members will serve for a term of three years, beginning Friday.

The Culture Ministry said that it appointed the members based on recommendations from other film organizations and considered various factors such as their expertise and insight in film art and the film industry, along with their experience and leadership in academia and in the field.

A new chairman is chosen among the nine commissioners, but two seats have been vacant for months now, including the top spot with the departure of former chairman Park Ki-yong in January at the end of his term. Since then, Kofic has not been able to elect a new chairman.

The state-run council, whose key role is to lead the Korean film scene, is also currently experiencing hardships following the government’s budget cuts for the cultural arts field.

In light of the current situation, Kofic canceled its annual exchange events, citing a lack of budget. The annual events, hosted by Kofic, at major film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, provide exchange opportunities between domestic and foreign film industry workers and to promote Korean films.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]