President Lee pledges support for South Korean film ecosystem

During a state visit to France, President Lee Jae-myung met with South Korean filmmakers at the Maeg Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence during the Lumiere Summit. Addressing the industry, Lee expressed concern regarding the weakening foundation of the Korean film ecosystem, noting that while K-movies have achieved global success, the support for independent films and emerging creators is declining.

He compared the current state of the industry to a landscape where “only a few large old trees remain,” emphasizing the need for a healthy ecosystem where “grass and small trees” can continuously grow and regenerate. Lee pledged to implement tangible policies to support the cultural arts sector and foster it as a core future industry.

During the dialogue, director Lee Chang-dong proposed expanding tax benefits for private investment in film to revitalize the industry. The President indicated he would direct officials to review such measures immediately. The meeting included prominent figures such as directors Lee Chang-dong and Jeong Ju-ri, and actors Jeon Do-yeon and Seol Kyung-gu.