Choe Ik-gyu (Korean: ìµœì µê·œ, born 27 February 1934), also known
under the pseudonym Choe Sang-gun, is a North Korean film director,
propagandist, and politician.Choe became the head of the Korea Film
Studio in 1956 at age 22. By the time Kim Jong-il took over the
country's film industry in 1968, Choe was the most experienced
filmmaker of North Korea. Kim and Choe became close associates â€" Kim
producing and Choe directing â€" a number of important North Korean
films. Sea of Blood (1968) and The Flower Girl (1972) were "Immortal
Classics" that, in addition to being popular successes, profoundly
shaped the industry. By the end of the 1960s, Choe supervised film
making in all of North Korea as the Propaganda and Agitation
Department film section head. In 1972, his responsibilities covered
other forms of North Korean propaganda as well after he was made the
vice director of the Department.In 1978, Kim had South Korea's famous
director-actress couple Shin Sang-ok and Choi Eun-hee abducted to
North Korea. Choe was tasked with aiding them to make films for North
Korea. After Shin and Choi escaped in 1986 on a business trip in
Vienna under Choe's watch, he was demoted. Kim Jong-il's trust in Choe
would survive despite numerous incidents leading to the latter's
dismissal from his posts. All in all, Choe has been sacked five times
from the Propaganda and Agitation Department: first in 1969, then in
1977 as part of purges, in 1986 after the Vienna affair, in 1993, and
finally 2010. He served as the country's Minister of Culture between
2003 and 2006. He finally became the head of the Propaganda and
Agitation Department in 2009, but was replaced the following year. He
remains a delegate to the Supreme People's Assembly.
under the pseudonym Choe Sang-gun, is a North Korean film director,
propagandist, and politician.Choe became the head of the Korea Film
Studio in 1956 at age 22. By the time Kim Jong-il took over the
country's film industry in 1968, Choe was the most experienced
filmmaker of North Korea. Kim and Choe became close associates â€" Kim
producing and Choe directing â€" a number of important North Korean
films. Sea of Blood (1968) and The Flower Girl (1972) were "Immortal
Classics" that, in addition to being popular successes, profoundly
shaped the industry. By the end of the 1960s, Choe supervised film
making in all of North Korea as the Propaganda and Agitation
Department film section head. In 1972, his responsibilities covered
other forms of North Korean propaganda as well after he was made the
vice director of the Department.In 1978, Kim had South Korea's famous
director-actress couple Shin Sang-ok and Choi Eun-hee abducted to
North Korea. Choe was tasked with aiding them to make films for North
Korea. After Shin and Choi escaped in 1986 on a business trip in
Vienna under Choe's watch, he was demoted. Kim Jong-il's trust in Choe
would survive despite numerous incidents leading to the latter's
dismissal from his posts. All in all, Choe has been sacked five times
from the Propaganda and Agitation Department: first in 1969, then in
1977 as part of purges, in 1986 after the Vienna affair, in 1993, and
finally 2010. He served as the country's Minister of Culture between
2003 and 2006. He finally became the head of the Propaganda and
Agitation Department in 2009, but was replaced the following year. He
remains a delegate to the Supreme People's Assembly.
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