Members of the Association of Korean Independent Film and Videos speak out against President Park Geun-hye on Monday in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. (Rumy Doo/The Korea Herald)

Indie filmmakers called for President Park’s immediate resignation and the reform of the Culture Ministry and the Korean Film Council on Monday.

“The Park administration has emphasized culture and cultural enrichment ever since Park’s inauguration,” said producer Ko Young-jae, head of the Association of Korean Independent Film and Videos. “But now, three years later, never has the term ‘culture’ received so much ridicule,“ he said, pointing to the numerous culture-related projects that allegedly misused funds.

“We are not interested in pricey cultural projects or funding with no meaning,” Ko added. “We dream of a society where culture spreads among people.”

In a statement supported by 821 members, the KIFV rebuked the severe oppression of free artistic expression and backdoor politics occurring in culture fields under the current administration. Some 30 of the association’s representatives gathered on the steps of the Sejong Center for Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, to make the declaration.

The statement called for the immediate resignation of President Park and Culture Minister Cho Yun-seon, who allegedly led the creation of a “black list” of cultural figures who spoke out against the current administration, according to KIFV. It also demanded that Kim Se-hoon, chairman of the Korean Film Council, step down from his position due to alleged ties to Choi Soon-sil, President Park’s longtime confidante currently being investigated for influence-peddling.

The statement further accused the Korean Film Council of censorship and corruption.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)