The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Friday the appointment of Pyeon Jang-wan, a 61-year-old film expert and professor at the School of Film, TV and Multimedia, as the 10th president of the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts). The renowned film scholar will lead the prestigious arts institution for a four-year term that runs through October 1, 2029, with a primary focus on nurturing the next generation of global artists.
Pyeon's appointment came after a successful democratic election process in June, where he secured 65.2 percent of the votes in a direct election involving students, faculty, and staff members. His appointment was officially finalized following Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young's recommendation and President Lee Jae Myung's formal approval, completing the university's presidential selection process.
Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young emphasized the significance of this appointment in relation to the university's international standing. "K-Arts ranked 19th globally and first in Asia in the 2025 QS World University Rankings for performing arts," Chae said in an official statement. "With President Pyeon's expertise, we expect the university to strengthen its role as a global hub of art education, cultivating the next generation of creative leaders."
Pyeon brings extensive academic credentials and international experience to his new role. He studied English literature at Chung-Ang University before pursuing advanced studies in film theory at New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. Since joining K-Arts as a professor of film in 1995, he has demonstrated strong leadership capabilities through various key administrative positions, including serving as dean of the School of Film, TV and Multimedia and head of academic affairs.
Beyond his contributions to K-Arts, Pyeon has played significant leadership roles throughout Korea's film and media industry. His extensive professional portfolio includes serving as president of the Moving Image Technology Association of Korea, international director of the Korean Cinema Association, and board member of the internationally recognized Busan International Film Festival. These diverse experiences have positioned him well to lead K-Arts in its mission to develop world-class creative talent and maintain its position as Asia's premier arts education institution.
