DMZ Film Goes North
Published: 04 Jan. 2003, 19:31
North-South-21, a South Korean company promoting cultural exchanges with the North, said that the film, "Joint Security Area," will be delivered to an official of the North's Asia-Pacific Peace Committee in Beijing on Friday.
The film has already attracted 4.9 million South Korean viewers, with 2 million in Seoul alone, according to the producers.
The Unification Ministry gave permission on Tuesday. This would mark the first time that a South Korean film will enter the Communist state with the Seoul government's approval.
The North Korean leader is widely regarded as a film buff and has a strong liking for South Korean films. But a ministry official said earlier that Mr. Kim criticized a South Korean-made spy thriller, "Swiri," which came out last year. That film tells of a love affair between a South Korean intelligence agent and a North Korean terrorist who is killed in the end by her lover.
In August, when South Korean media executives visited Pyongyang, they delivered four South Korean films, including "Chunhyang," a love story set in the Choson Dynasty. Those films were given to Mr. Kim without the government's approval, as they were considered "presents."
by Lee Soo-jeong
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)