BIFF woes continue with high-level resignation, dismissal

The crisis at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) came to a sudden end, with president Lee Yong-kwan resigning effective Monday and managing director Cho Jong-kook dismissed on the same day. The BIFF board held its second general assembly...

A passerby walks across the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) logo in front of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, eastern Busan, on May 24. [NEWS1]

The crisis at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) came to a sudden end, with president Lee Yong-kwan resigning effective Monday and managing director Cho Jong-kook dismissed on the same day.

The BIFF board held its second general assembly of the year on Monday at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, eastern Busan, where it decided to accept Lee's resignation and Cho's dismissal. The proposal to dismiss Cho, who was instated as managing director during the first general assembly meeting of this year, was passed with 16 votes in favor and 12 votes against.

Regulations for a temporary system to be put into place to fill the vacancies from the resignation of former festival director Huh Moon-yung and the dismissal of Cho were revised. Huh’s vacancy will be filled by program director Nam Dong-chul, and Cho’s role will be taken on by deputy director Kang Seung-ah.

Former president of the Busan International Film Festival Lee Yong-kwan walks into a meeting at the Busan Cinema Center on May 24. [YONHAP]

Lee, who had previously promised to step down from his position at the end of this year’s BIFF, which will be held between Oct. 4 to 13, resigned with immediate effect on Monday.

The BIFF board also decided to create a Preparation Committee of the BIFF Innovation Committee and announced that the Preparation Committee will present and report to the next board of directors on the composition and role of the Innovation Committee. The Innovation Committee will discuss various pending issues, including setting a new vision and development direction for the BIFF, addressing accumulated problems, and appointing a new chairperson.

The BIFF has been experiencing a crisis with only a few months left until this year’s edition of the festival, as Huh tendered his resignation in May after Cho Jong-kook was named as managing director of the festival. The position was effectively of the same rank as Huh's, and its responsibilities included managing the festival budget, personnel, and administrative processes.

Although Huh had not specified his reasons for resigning, many saw it as a protest against Cho's appointment. Some viewed Cho's appointment as a move by administrative forces to put a check on BIFF.

Matters worsened after an accusation against Huh was filed with the Center for Gender Equality in Korean Film for alleged sexual abuse, by a BIFF employee, according to the center. The employee accused Huh of allegedly using inappropriate and sexually explicit language and reported the case to the Center for Gender Equality in Korean Film, and is currently receiving legal advice from the center. The BIFF board apologized earlier in the month for its oversight regarding this case.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]