Presidential Office: "Resumption of Korean Films on Chinese OTT After 6 Years... Response to the Summit"

Yoon, at June 15 Korea-China Summit, Emphasizes Importance of Cultural and Human Exchange with Xi Jinping, Agrees on Need for Youth Communication
Senior Presidential Official on Jang Kyung-tae's Accusation: "A Deep Wound to a Sick Child... Harm to National Interest"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Presidential Office announced on the 22nd that Korean film services on Chinese OTT (online video services) have resumed after six years, coinciding with the recent Korea-China summit.

Kim Eun-hye, the Chief Public Relations Officer, stated at a briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in the afternoon, "Films by Korean directors have started to be screened on Chinese OTT platforms," adding, "This marks the commencement of Korean film services in China after a six-year import ban."

It is known that the 2018 film Hotel by the Riverside by director Hong Sang-soo is currently being offered on the Chinese OTT platform Tencent Video under the title Jiangbian Luguan (江?旅?).

Kim said, "President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized the importance of cultural and human exchanges, especially the need for communication among the younger generation, during the Korea-China summit on the 15th, and Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his agreement," adding, "This OTT measure can be interpreted as China’s response following the summit."

Kim also shared some of the private remarks exchanged between President Yoon and President Xi during the summit, highlighting the significance of this OTT measure. According to Kim, President Yoon said, "Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Korea-China relations have grown remarkably over the past 30 years in quantitative aspects such as trade, investment, and human exchanges, benefiting both sides greatly. Now is the time to qualitatively advance bilateral relations. Cooperation in the private sector is necessary for a healthy future of our bilateral relations."

President Xi also reportedly stated, "The suspension of Korea-China exchanges benefits no one," and added, "Cultural exchanges should be viewed separately from geopolitical issues," expressing a desire to promote exchanges and communication across various fields.

Kim emphasized, "Based on the meaningful outcomes of the summit between the two leaders, we will continue to work steadily and observe whether proactive futures such as the lifting of China’s import ban will unfold."

A senior official from the Presidential Office, speaking to reporters, added, "President Yoon also emphasized the importance of cultural and human exchanges when meeting with Chinese ministers, hoping that such communication will lead to a better future for the people, even if only slightly."

In response to a reporter’s question about whether practical discussions on the gaming industry and other sectors will be discussed following this OTT measure, the official responded cautiously, "I cannot comment on the expansion of areas at this time." However, the official expressed hope, saying, "Efforts to revitalize Korea-China exchanges are ongoing and should continue in that direction."

Regarding the Presidential Office’s decision to file a complaint against Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who claimed that First Lady Kim Geon-hee installed lighting when taking photos with children suffering from heart disease during an overseas trip, the official stated, "I believe that Jang caused great pain and harm to the children and their families before even considering the governments of the Republic of Korea or Cambodia."

He continued, "Visiting difficult situations in other countries and offering sympathy and comfort has been part of diplomatic activities conducted by most past governments. In diplomacy, the ruling and opposition parties have stopped political strife and united because it directly relates to national interests," adding, "While Cambodia, a friendly nation, and local media have conveyed warm greetings, the opposition party is instead stirring conflict, which does not help the national interest or the people. We view this as an attempt to create baseless offenses that harm national interests and have responded accordingly."

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