New Film Council Chief Pledges to Reform Organization
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Inha University film professor Cho Hee-mun was elected chairman of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), Monday.
Cho promised to reform the film council, but fell short of providing any specifics. He also expressed plans to ease conflicts with labor unions in the film industry, also without elaborating further.
``It's too early to specify the direction or reforms for the council. But it is only natural the organization will expand or shrink, depending on the direction,'' he said.
Cho said he will meet with officials at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to discuss the direction KOFIC should take. His term will expire May 2011.
Cho is currently a professor at the Department of Theater and Film at Inha University, Incheon.
He replaced renowned film critic Kang Han-seop as chairman. Kang resigned last June after coming under fire for his poor management at the council.
KOFIC received the lowest mark in a performance evaluation report conducted by the ministry.
KOFIC is a government-funded body with the goal to stimulate the growth and development of the film industry. Its board is comprised of film industry professionals and academics that represent different sectors.
Its chairperson and eight commissioners are appointed by the minister of culture, sports and tourism.