"Sexual Harassment for Years" Employee Claims
Chairman Heo: "Baseless... Resignation as Scheduled"
BIFF: "Will Wait Until Issue is Clarified"
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) announced on the 31st that it will withhold acceptance of the resignation of Executive Committee Chair Heo Mun-young (62) until the sexual harassment allegations against him are clarified. Separately, Chair Heo stated, "I resigned because I could not cause harm," and drew a clear line by saying, "I will not return."
On the same day, a media outlet reported that an employee who had worked at BIFF for a long time claimed to have been sexually harassed and subjected to inappropriate work orders by Chair Heo for several years. The employee who reported the victimization filed a complaint with the Korean Film Gender Equality Center Ddeunddeun and is known to have recently received counseling.
Regarding the report, Chair Heo denied the allegations, stating, "I humbly reflect on my past behavior and will take firm legal action if necessary."
Regarding his position, he said, "Ahead of this year's film festival, I intend to calmly reflect on the unfortunate timing of these events amid the intensifying controversy surrounding my position."
Earlier, on the 12th, Chair Heo suddenly expressed his intention to resign from BIFF, drawing attention to the background. When the sexual harassment allegations surfaced on this day, BIFF issued a statement.
BIFF stated, "Executive Committee Chair Heo Mun-young had a positive view of returning and was scheduled for a meeting today, but sent a message that returning would be difficult due to personal issues. The four board members (including the chairman) who were to meet discussed the following measures to respond to the rapidly changing situation."
▲ It was decided to wait for Chair Heo Mun-young’s personal issues to be properly clarified before accepting his resignation and to withhold acceptance for now. ▲ Urgent matters necessary for preparing this year’s film festival will be discussed at the board meeting scheduled for June 2. ▲ The Innovation Committee, discussed at the previous board meeting, will have its composition and functions discussed at the June 2 board meeting. ▲ The agenda will include discussions on current issues faced by the Busan International Film Festival, including a fact-finding investigation into the ongoing situation.
In response, Chair Heo immediately issued a statement. He shared a text message sent to Chairman Lee Yong-gwan with the press, explaining, "I can hardly bring myself to speak, but I will explain the reasons."
Chair Heo sent a lengthy text message to Chairman Lee, stating, "I cannot return to the film festival." The disclosed message included that he had been contacted by reporters asking whether it was true that he gave unfair work orders to film festival staff and used inappropriate language and sexual expressions.
Furthermore, he conveyed his intention to resign, explaining that clarifying the facts would take considerable time and that the issue itself could become a serious controversy, potentially causing harm to the film festival. He earnestly requested, "I sincerely ask that my resignation be accepted immediately."
Meanwhile, this year’s Busan International Film Festival is scheduled to be held in Busan from October 4 to 13, with five months remaining until the opening.
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