Kang Han-seop, chairperson of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), resigned Thursday after his council received the poorest grade in a performance evaluation by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Minister Yu In-chon accepted his resignation. In his resignation statement, Kang expressed regret.
KOFIC is a government-supported, self-administered body that aims to stimulate the growth and development of Korean cinema through funding, research, policy development, education and professional training. Kang, a renowned film critic, had headed the organization from May 28, 2008. Last year marked an all-time low in the local film industry.
"I knew Chairman Kang was having trouble with management relations but we accepted his resignation after deliberating the issue from different angles", Minister Yu In-chon told reporters Thursday.
A new chairperson succeeding Kang has yet to be chosen.
In the resignation statement addressed to "respected cineastes", Kang expressed his deep regret. "I leave without having fulfilled the mission of reforming KOFIC and revamping Korean cinema", he said. But Kang said he wishes to discuss the potential of the cinema industry rather than give excuses for himself, and said that the market will recover following a U-shaped curve. The organization would learn from its mistakes, he said.
Six other KOFIC committee officials have submitted resignation letters but it is still unclear whether the government will accept them en masse or selectively.
"I hope this would be serve as an opportunity for KOFIC to start anew toward harmony and development", said Yu.
The minister said that KOFIC should move away from pursuing multiple, small-scale funding projects and concentrate on just a few, and refrain from competing with private firms.
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