Journalist-turned-professor takes reins of embattled film council

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By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- A veteran cinema theorist with broad on-the-field
experience was named Monday as new chairman of the Korea Film Council, a post
left vacant for two months after his predecessor resigned under labor-management
disputes.

Cho Hee-moon, 52, a journalist-turned-professor and former member of the
incumbent government's transition committee, will serve as the state-run
organization's new chief through May 27, 2011.
The Korea Film Council, established in 1973 to support independent filmmakers and
enhance global recognition of Korean cinema, has been under growing criticism for
incompetence in recent years. The council received the lowest mark in the finance
ministry's performance evaluation of state-run organizations in June.
Facing a growing confrontation with the labor union and other council members
over his authoritative management style, Cho's predecessor Kang Han-sup stepped
down from the post in July, just over a year after he was appointed to the
position.
Cho is charged with downsizing and reforming the council, the two main tasks put
forward by industry experts.
Born in 1957 in the southeastern provincial city of Sangju, Cho majored in film
theory at Seoul's Hanyang University and served as a reporter at Kyeongin Daily
from 1981-95 before becoming a professor at Sangmyung University.
He currently teaches stage and film at Inha University and also served as former
vice chairman of the film council for three years from 1999.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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