Busan Film Festival Chairman Lee Yong-kwan Seeks Immediate Departure, Blames Political Interference
variety.comPatrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Lee Yong-kwan, one of the original founders of the Busan International Film Festival, says he is stepping down as the event’s chairman – this time with immediate effect.
He says the move is intended to defuse a morass of factional infighting and political interference surrounding Asian’s most prominent film festival.
A festival spokesman told Variety that the board of directors “has decided to persuade the chairperson to return. So, the resignation has not been accepted yet.” Lee had already tendered his resignation once before,after a series of management missteps had thrown the event into disarray since early May.
But he was subsequently persuaded to stick with the event until this year’s edition in October had been delivered. On Wednesday, however, Lee said that continuing strife, notably external forces which had sought to politicize the recent comings and goings, meant that his plan to remain as caretaker for the next three months was no longer tenable. “Just a few days ago, I was faced with a petition from members of the People Power Party of the Culture, Sports & Tourism Committee of the National Assembly.
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