"Appoint Yeongjin Committee Members" Filmmakers Urge Ministry of Culture to Normalize Yeongjin Committee

Concerns Over Budget Cuts and Reduced Beneficiaries
"Yeongjinwi's Status Seriously Declining... Need for Communication"

Film industry professionals, including the Korean Film Producers Association and the Korean Film Makers Association, have urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to normalize the Korean Film Council.

On the 12th, a movie theater in downtown Seoul was deserted. According to the Korea Film Council's integrated ticketing system, the number of moviegoers who visited theaters the previous day was 10,776. This is the lowest figure since the council began official statistics in 2004. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

The Film Industry Crisis Overcoming Solidarity issued a statement on the 26th, demanding, "Please promptly appoint new Korean Film Council commissioners to help the council overcome the crisis in the film industry." Since the resignation of Chairman Park Ki-yong in January, the council has been operating under an acting leadership system. Among the nine commissioners, the terms of two ended in January, but the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has not appointed new commissioners.

The Film Industry Crisis Overcoming Solidarity expressed concern that "the Korean Film Council’s budget for this year was drastically cut at the end of last year, freezing the entire film industry." Film festivals are a prime example. The support budget was significantly reduced, and the number of beneficiaries was cut to ten. Budgets for independent and art film creation and distribution, as well as support funds for film planning and production, were also drastically reduced. In many cases, such as animation and regional budgets, the entire amount was cut.

The Solidarity explained, "Even the 'Korean Film Night' event held annually at the Cannes International Film Festival was canceled due to budget shortages," adding, "The shrinking budget and unstable evaluation system have led to a devastating situation where the foundation of the film industry is shaking."

The authority to appoint new Korean Film Council commissioners lies with Minister Yoo In-chon of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The film industry and related organizations have recommended multiple candidates since the fourth quarter of last year. However, the ministry has delayed appointments for four months. The Film Industry Crisis Overcoming Solidarity protested, "They have not provided a proper explanation about when the appointments will be made or why they are delayed." They emphasized, "There have been various controversies during the process of announcing and then halting the appointment of a new secretary-general," and warned that "the status of the Korean Film Council is seriously deteriorating."

Next month is a critical period when the Korean Film Council will establish and approve the budget for the coming year. The Solidarity expressed concern that "if the leadership vacuum at the council is left unaddressed for a long time, the crisis in the film industry will intensify." They demanded, "Please promptly appoint new commissioners and communicate with the film industry regarding the establishment of next year’s budget."