The Actors' Solidarity raised their voices against Minister Yoo In-chon.

On the 17th, the Actors' Solidarity for overcoming the film industry crisis (abbreviated as Actors' Solidarity) issued a critical statement toward Minister Yoo In-chon, urging to 'immediately halt the appointment process for the head of the Korean Film Archive' in relation to the public recruitment announcement for the new head of the Korean Film Archive made on the 16th.

The Actors' Solidarity said, 'Minister Yoo In-chon appeared as the Spokesperson on December 10, after the emergency martial law on December 3, without any apology for the illegal martial law, criticizing the impeachment motion of the National Assembly, which acknowledged his being one with the insurrection forces.' They criticized that during the emergency martial law on December 3, an incident occurred where the Korea National University of Arts was closed under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (abbreviated as MCST), and regarding this, a thorough investigation into Minister Yoo In-chon's involvement in the insurrection is necessary.

They also emphasized, 'Minister Yoo In-chon forcibly appointed six new Commissioners of the Korean Film Council on January 6, after the National Assembly's impeachment motion against former President Yoon Seok-youl had been passed.' The Actors' Solidarity issued a statement stating, 'The appointment of Yoo In-chon, who is an accomplice in the December 3 insurrection, should be withdrawn!' (Jan. 8, 2025). They expressed that 'at this moment when Korean society is collapsing as a whole, the appointment of public institution executives conducted by the Yoon Seok-youl government, the main culprit in the destruction of democracy, and Yoo In-chon of the MCST, is inappropriate and problematic in itself.'

Furthermore, they added, 'This moment is when the Constitutional Court, through the unified opinion of all judges, is dismissing Yoon Seok-youl, just 48 days before the new presidential election.' They stated, 'Those who were the spokespersons for the emergency martial law that destroyed democracy in the Republic of Korea and plunged the people into suffering do not have the right to initiate the appointment process for the head of the Korean Film Archive, a precious cornerstone of Korean film art and industry.'

In response, the Actors' Solidarity urged Minister Yoo In-chon and the MCST to immediately halt the appointment process for the head of the Korean Film Archive, to initiate the appointment process for the head of the Korean Film Archive after the new government's inauguration and the restoration of democracy, to clarify the processes involved in the December 3 insurrection, including the Korea National University of Arts incident, and to undergo thorough investigation.

The following is the full statement of the Actors' Solidarity directed at Minister Yoo In-chon.

Minister Yoo In-chon, immediately cease the appointment process for the head of the Korean Film Archive.

On April 16, the Korean Film Archive announced the public recruitment for the new head. Minister Yoo In-chon appeared as the Spokesperson on December 10, after the emergency martial law on December 3, without any apology for the illegal martial law, criticizing the impeachment motion of the National Assembly and acknowledging his being one with the insurrection forces. During the emergency martial law on December 3, an incident occurred where the Korea National University of Arts was closed at the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (abbreviated as MCST), and regarding this, a thorough investigation into Minister Yoo In-chon's involvement in the insurrection is necessary.

After the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against former President Yoon Seok-youl, Minister Yoo In-chon forcibly appointed six new Commissioners of the Korean Film Council on January 6. The Actors' Solidarity for overcoming the film industry crisis (abbreviated as Actors' Solidarity) issued a statement saying, 'The appointment of Yoo In-chon, who is an accomplice in the December 3 insurrection, should be withdrawn!' (Jan. 8, 2025). They also expressed, 'At this time when Korean society is collapsing as a whole, the appointment of public institution executives conducted by the Yoon Seok-youl government, the main culprit in the destruction of democracy, and Yoo In-chon of the MCST, is inappropriate and problematic in itself.'

Especially, this moment is when the Constitutional Court, with a unified opinion of all judges, is dismissing Yoon Seok-youl, just 48 days before the new presidential election. There is absolutely no authority for those who were spokespersons for the emergency martial law that destroyed democracy and plunged the people into suffering to initiate the appointment process for the head of the Korean Film Archive, which is a precious cornerstone of Korean film art and industry.

In response, the Actors' Solidarity demands as follows.

First, Minister Yoo In-chon and the MCST must immediately halt the appointment process for the head of the Korean Film Archive.

Second, the board of directors of the Korean Film Archive must initiate the appointment process for the head of the Korean Film Archive in accordance with principles and procedures after a new government is inaugurated and democracy is restored.

Third, the processes involved in the December 3 insurrection, including the Korea National University of Arts incident, must be thoroughly investigated and clarified before the people.

April 17, 2025

Actors' Solidarity for overcoming the film industry crisis

Korea Cinematographers Guild (CGK), Korean Producers Guild (PGK), Korean Film Makers Association

Korean Actors Association, Korean Film and Media Education Association, Korean Cinema Centre Association

Korean Screenwriters Guild (SGK), Korean Art Directors Guild, Korean Independent Film Association, Korean Independent Animation Association

Local Film Network, National Film Industry Labor Union, Nationwide Independent Film Theater Network

Film Import and Distribution Association, Film Marketing Association, Women Filmmakers Association, Busan Film Industry Solidarity

[Photo] OSEN DB.

[OSEN]