Motion Picture Association Welcomes Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol to Global Headquarters
President’s Historic First State Visit Highlights Importance of Film, TV, and Streaming Industry in Strengthening Economic and Cultural Ties
WASHINGTON – The Motion Picture Association (MPA) hosted Republic of Korea (ROK) President Yoon Suk-yeol today at its global headquarters, marking the first time a Korean president has formally met with the American entertainment industry. The event brought together some of the most important and culturally influential content creators from the United States and the ROK.
MPA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin hosted the Global Creative Industry Leadership Forum, along with senior representatives from all six MPA studios and leading Korean content creators, during President Yoon’s state visit to the United States. Forum participants discussed the importance of a predictable content production and distribution ecosystem rooted in open markets, strong copyright, and international trade rules.
“On behalf of the MPA and our member studios, it is my great honor to welcome President Yoon to our global headquarters. His administration shares our belief in the cultural and economic value of the film, TV, and streaming industry,” said Rivkin. “Our members’ growing investments in Korean language and other productions, and their partnerships with local industry, are captivating audiences with even more stories, told in ever more authentic and innovative ways. We are excited to continue these conversations in ways that expand our special partnership, advance our shared goals, and nourish the next generation of storytellers across the United States and the Republic of Korea.”
President Yoon’s delegation included:
- Park Bo-Gyoon – Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
- Jo Hyunrae – President & CEO of Korea Creative Content Agency
- Park Ki-yong – Chairperson of Korea Film Council
- Miky Lee – Vice Chairman of CJ Group
Other attendees included the CEOs of major Korean content companies such as Watcha, AStory, Raeongraien, Creative Leaders Group 8 and Entermedia Pictures.
MPA members were represented at the Forum by:
- Kim Harris – Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation and General Counsel of NBCUniversal
- David Hyman – Chief Legal Officer, Netflix, Inc.
- Dan Cohen – Chief Content Licensing Officer and President, Republic Pictures, Paramount Global
- Keith Weaver – Executive Vice President, Global Policy and External Affairs, Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Dorothy Attwood – Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy, The Walt Disney Company
- David Leavy – Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc
President Yoon’s visit to the MPA builds on Rivkin’s October 2022 attendance at the Busan International Film Festival and his meeting with ROK Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Seoul.
About The Motion Picture Association
The Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA) serves as the global voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world.
Its member studios are Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Netflix, Inc.; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO.
-###-
Motion Picture Association
Emily Lenzner
Emily_Lenzner@motionpictures.org