'Gov't to Maintain Screen Quota'
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Culture and Tourism Minister Chung Dong-chae asserts that the government will maintain its domestic screen quota system.
The minister made the comments in a Thursday lecture, adding that President Roh Moo-hyun and Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan are of the same opinion on keeping the quota in place.
Seoul expects Washington to call for a reduction or outright elimination of the screen quota as a prelude to full-fledged talks on a bilateral free trade agreement, but the culture minister pointed out that the two sides have not yet begun negotiations on the contentious movie issue.
Current law dictates that local cinemas must screen Korean-made movies at least 146 days a year.
Chung also stressed that the screen quota would remain necessary regardless of the competitiveness of the domestic movie industry.
Reported by KBS World Radio
The minister made the comments in a Thursday lecture, adding that President Roh Moo-hyun and Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan are of the same opinion on keeping the quota in place.
Seoul expects Washington to call for a reduction or outright elimination of the screen quota as a prelude to full-fledged talks on a bilateral free trade agreement, but the culture minister pointed out that the two sides have not yet begun negotiations on the contentious movie issue.
Current law dictates that local cinemas must screen Korean-made movies at least 146 days a year.
Chung also stressed that the screen quota would remain necessary regardless of the competitiveness of the domestic movie industry.
Reported by KBS World Radio
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