TV Companies Urged to Participate in Film - Making

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently requested that the broadcasting companies, Korea Broadcasting System (KBS), Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Seoul Broadcasting System(SBS), search for a way to participate in film - making.
An official of the ministry explained that 'to increase the competitiveness of the Korean film industry, the participation of broadcasting corporations is necessary. In France, for example, three percent of broadcasters' profits go into the movie industry.'
The proposed Integrated Broadcasting Law does not make productions of movies by broadcasters mandatory, but obliges them to air a certain quota of Korean films.
However, while the broadcasting corporations agree in principle with the government, they argue that production costs per movie exceed one billion won.
Meanwhile, KBS plans next year to give commissions for half the programs in its 'TV Literature' series to cinema directors outside its own company.
Jooan Kang : jooan@joongang.co.kr