(Unofficial Translation)

I hope we all can converse comfortably around this table. Congratulations to everyone. You must have heard these congratulatory words countless times. Hearing them from the President as well doesn’t make them anymore special. The Korean film “Parasite” has obtained the highest honor at the Academy Awards, the world’s premier film gala. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the honorees, including director Bong Joon Ho, actor Song Kang-ho and the other cast and crew members as well as the production company, on their achievements.

I am truly proud of everyone. I take great pride in the fact that a new chapter has been written in the 100-year history of Korean film and that history has been made at the Oscars as well.

Even though the Oscars are the most authoritative and renowned film awards in the world, they had been receiving criticism for having remained a local film event, and director Bong Joon Ho then drove that point home. However, as our film “Parasite” is so outstanding and director Bong Joon Ho’s capabilities are indisputably superb, the Academy Awards could not help but recognize the film as the best picture and Bong Joon Ho as the best director, breaking down the barrier non-English language films had faced. I am particularly proud of this fact. That pride has become a source of enormous self-esteem for our people and instilled them with tremendous courage while they endure hardships from the COVID-19 outbreak. In that regard, I am especially grateful.

Korean culture and arts are excellent and global not only in certain fields or categories but also in diverse forms far and wide. I believe this fact has been proven once more through the accomplishments of the film “Parasite.” Many people around the world have been marveling at BTS and other K-pop acts for years now. For a much longer time, Korean dramas have been loved in many countries by a large number of fans.

On a slightly different note, among the countries that have produced the greatest number of winners at the most prominent international music competitions is none other than Korea. As such, Korea has already genuinely advanced onto the center stage globally, not the periphery of culture, and across all cultural forms, not just specific areas. I take special pride in the fact that Korean culture has become globally recognized. All of this is attributable to the passion and hard work of everyone, including director Bong Joon Ho here. Once more, I express my gratitude to you all.

Of course, it is still too early to say that the foundation of our culture and arts industry is very broad or solid. Even in the culture and arts community, there also exist certain inequalities like the one shown in “Parasite.” Most of all, unequal factors still remain on movie production sites as well as in the entire system – from production and distribution to screening.     

I very deeply empathize with the social consciousness reflected in “Parasite.” It is not just a domestic problem but also a worldwide issue. Inequality has become so entrenched that it feels as if a new class system existed. I have made resolving such inequality one of our key goals in state affairs. Nonetheless, the situation is nerve-racking because there is a lot of opposition and the results do not materialize as quickly as we would like. Those in the film industry have to be aware of these issues; they should abide by the standard employment contract or the maximum 52-hour workweek when making a film. Director Bong Joon Ho and the production company voluntarily complied with these guidelines, and I would like to express my respect for that. The Government will strive to make sure that these can be institutionalized, instead of relying on such good will. In addition, we will endeavor to ensure that welfare benefits can also be fully guaranteed to those involved in the film industry when idle since production is always sporadic.

On the matter of film distribution in Korea, we will do all we can to quickly introduce the so-called cap on the number of screens available per film so that a single movie cannot monopolize theaters. In a word, the Government will unquestionably provide assistance to promote the film industry, for instance, by drastically increasing support for the Korean Academy of Film Arts. However, we will never interfere. 

It must have been really a grand yet grueling journey to reach this point today – probably even after production was completed. I hope that you will be able to completely relax and at least enjoy today as you like and have an opportunity to congratulate each other. The lunch menu not only consists of specialties prepared by professionals but also a sampling of jjapaguri, or ram-don from “Parasite,” dedicated to director Bong Joon Ho and the rest of you from my wife. I hope we can have a great time together. 

Thank you.