Kim Myung-gon, Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Appointed as New Chairman of Mapo Cultural Foundation

Actor, Director, and Arts Management Expert... Inaugurated on the 1st, 3-Year Term

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Mapo Cultural Foundation (CEO Song Jeyong) announced the appointment of actor and former Minister of Culture and Tourism Kim Myung-gon (69, photo) as its new chairman.

Kim Myung-gon assumed office as the new chairman of the Mapo Cultural Foundation on the 1st, with a term of three years.

Chairman Kim Myung-gon is an actor and arts management expert. He debuted in 1983 with the film "Declaration of Idiot" and won the Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for the 1993 film "Seopyeonje," directed by Im Kwon-taek. He has continued to be active as a theater actor and director until recently, and has previously served as the director of the National Theater of Korea and as the 8th Minister of Culture and Tourism. Currently, he serves as the chairman of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

Chairman Kim said, "In the global pandemic situation caused by COVID-19, the only countries able to hold performances are not in Europe or the United States, but the small Asian country of South Korea," adding, "I am proud of this and want to offer deep comfort to the cultural artists who are enduring these difficult times."

He continued, "The Mapo Cultural Foundation is a regional cultural foundation leading Seoul's basic cultural foundations, operating a unique complex cultural center that encompasses pure arts and popular culture with diverse performances, academies, and sports facilities," and expressed his aspiration, "I will do my best to utilize my experience in both arts and arts administration to contribute to the culture of the Mapo area and the development of the foundation."

The Mapo Cultural Foundation is an independent corporation operating to improve the cultural welfare level of local residents in fields such as performances, exhibitions, festivals, lectures, and community sports. It manages the Mapo Art Center, a cultural complex facility located in Daehyeong-dong, Mapo-gu.

Yoo Dong-gyun, mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "With the inauguration of Chairman Kim Myung-gon, who combines deep knowledge of the cultural arts field and administrative capabilities, we expect the cultural level of the region to improve further," adding, "We will actively support and work together so that our residents can enjoy higher-quality cultural benefits."