Han Sang-jun elected as new chair of Korean Film Council

The new head of Korea’s state-run film council was elected Tuesday after the position had been vacant since January.

Logo of Korean Film Council [KOREAN FILM COUNCIL]

The new head of Korea’s state-run film council was elected Tuesday after the position had been vacant since January.

Han Sang-jun, former director of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifan) and programmer of the Busan International Film Festival, has been elected as the new chairperson of the Korean Film Council (Kofic), the council announced the same day.

Han was the sole candidate for the election, according to Kofic.

The election follows the term expiration of the former chairperson, Park Ki-yong, in January.

The chairman position had been vacant due to the lack of board members, as the new chairman must be selected from among the nine commissioners who comprise the council.

The last two board members were appointed last month, including Han and filmmaker Yang Yun-ho.

Han Sang-jun, the newly elected chairperson of Korean Film Council [KOREAN FILM COUNCIL]

Han’s term will last for three years, ending on May 24, 2027.

“I will listen to the various voices within the film industry to make Kofic a council that collaborates and is trusted by others,” Han said in a press release. “I will work on responding effectively to the changes in the film industry and to stabilize the development of the K-movie field.”

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