Film Industry Coalition Criticizes Minister of Culture Following Presidential Actions

On December 18, the Film Industry Coalition, which includes the Korean Film Producers Association and the Korean Actors' Guild, publicly criticized Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, following similar condemnations directed at President Yoon Suk-yeol. The coalition stated, 'The cultural and artistic sector in South Korea is facing a severe crisis. Yoo In-chon was a key figure in the blacklist scandal during the Lee Myung-bak administration, systematically excluding artists deemed contrary to government policies, thereby suppressing creative freedom and reducing art to a political tool.' They further asserted that Yoon's reappointment of Yoo was not merely a policy decision but a deliberate act undermining democracy and the essence of art, violating the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression. The coalition accused Yoo of actively facilitating the government's unconstitutional and illegal policy decisions that compromise democratic values.

On December 10, Minister Yoo presented a public appeal supporting President Yoon's declaration of martial law on December 3, describing it as a high-level political act and a warning to the opposition. He has also been implicated in the closure of the entrance to the Korea National University of Arts during the controversial martial law declaration, where he directed access control.

The coalition expressed concern that Yoo intends to appoint executives to public cultural institutions under the Ministry of Culture, such as the Korean Film Council and the Korean Film Archive, who may lack political neutrality and could become tools of power. They warned that this could stifle the creative environment, suppress critical artistic activities, and ultimately infringe upon citizens' cultural rights. They emphasized that leaders and executives of public cultural institutions should be appointed through fair and independent processes.

The coalition's demands are clear: they call for Yoo In-chon to resign immediately from his position, the National Assembly to enact a special law to protect the autonomy and diversity of the arts sector, the appointment of executives in public institutions to be conducted through transparent procedures, and a thorough investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials into Yoo's actions related to the martial law.

On December 3, President Yoon declared martial law in an emergency address to the nation. The National Assembly convened an emergency session on December 4, where a motion to lift the martial law was passed unanimously. President Yoon subsequently announced the lifting of the martial law early on December 4.

In a follow-up address on December 7, President Yoon expressed regret for causing public anxiety and discomfort, while still justifying the necessity of the martial law declaration. The Film Industry Coalition comprises various organizations, including the Korean Art Film Association, the Korean Cinematographers Guild, the Korean Producers Guild, and many others dedicated to supporting independent and artistic cinema in South Korea.