Kim Eui-suk Appointed Chairman of Korean Film Council

Yonhap News

Director Kim Eui-suk has been named chairman of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). He had been serving as acting chairman since last November, when the former chairman Cho Hee-moon stepped down. Kim's three-year term runs to March 29, 2014. Announcement was made by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

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According to a report in Variety, Kim said he would focus on expanding international markets.

The  trade paper pointed out that Kim is one of the first graduates of the national film school, the Korean Academy of Fine Arts, and debuted with "The Marriage Life" (1992), a romantic comedy. He subsequently directed such titles as "Gun and Gun" (1995), "Holiday Inn Seoul" (1997) and "The Great Chef" (1999), among others. His last film, "Sword in the Moon" (2003), was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.

"I've seen the real problems and conflicts in the field because I've worked as a film director", Kim told reporters at a press meeting in Seoul on Wednesday, according to an article in The Korea Herald.  "I think that is one of the reasons why I was appointed for this position. I will do my best for the betterment of our film industry while keeping things fair and impartial".