Filmmaker Meets Lee Jae-myung: "Serious Monopoly in Film Production and Distribution"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Gyeonggi Province will take the lead in creating a fair cultural environment so that everyone can make and enjoy various films without being excluded."

At the 'Meeting for the Development of the Gyeonggi Province Film Industry' held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the 6th, Governor Lee said, "Recently, the monopoly in production and distribution has become so severe that I thought it could impact not only the film industry but the entire culture," adding, "It is our public domain to correct unfair parts, give opportunities to new people, and create an environment of fair competition."

He especially emphasized, "If Gyeonggi Province realizes what it can do from small things in the current situation, the world can change," and promised, "Based on the valuable opinions from the meeting, Gyeonggi Province will take the lead to become a central hub for the development of the Korean film industry."

The attendees unanimously agreed that support for the film industry ecosystem at the Gyeonggi Province level would be a great strength for the Korean film industry.

Lee Eun, CEO of Mipfilm, pointed out, "Compared to the internationally higher status of Korean films than ever before, the expansion of monopoly and uniformity in the film industry is causing the collapse of small and medium-sized production and distribution companies and infringing on the public's right to enjoy culture," adding, "Regulations for a fair competitive environment and simultaneous support for the ecosystem of production, distribution, and screening are necessary."

Gyeonggi Province has so far discovered and supported small-scale but artistically and qualitatively excellent films such as Dear, Don't Cross That River, Our Body, and Hitchhike. Additionally, to establish an alternative distribution (distribution and screening) support system for independent films, it operates 40 indie cinema theaters within the province.

Meanwhile, the meeting was attended by eight leading Korean filmmakers from production, directing, distribution, and investment fields, including Song Kyung-hee, President of the Gyeonggi Content Agency; Lee Eun, CEO of Mipfilm; director Jung Yoon-chul; Kim Sang-oh, CEO of Ozone Film; Oh Ki-hwan, director of the Korean Film Directors Association; Jung Sang-jin, CEO of Et Nine Film; Lee Ha-young, CEO of Haha Films; Kim Dong-hyun, head of Merry Christmas; and Kim Beom-seok, head of Daesung Venture Investment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.