SAG-AFTRA Leadership Meets With South Korean Minister

On June 28, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and Vice President, Los Angeles and L.A. Local President Jodi Long met with the Republic of Korea Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism In Chon Yu and his delegation at SAG-AFTRA Plaza. Also present were Executive Vice President Linda Powell, who attended the meeting virtually, as well as in-person and virtual union staff and members of the South Korean press. 

The visit was part of Minister Yu’s current tour of the United States and Canada, and presented an opportunity to understand the union’s work within the entertainment industry. Finding common ground in their shared backgrounds as performers — Minister Yu himself is a former stage and screen actor — and unionists, Drescher and Long’s conversation focused on the union’s recent contract gains, particularly regarding its efforts to push for contract safeguards related to artificial intelligence. They also spoke about the residuals payment structure and processes. Concluding the visit was a tour of the union’s Los Angeles headquarters. 

As a national department of the South Korean government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s mission endeavors to promote Korean culture, media and tourism internationally. 

Photo: From left, SAG-AFTRA Residuals Processing, Trusts & Estates Executive Director Val Kotik and Entertainment Contracts National Director Jessica Johnson; Republic of Korea Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism In Chon Yu; SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher; SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Los Angeles & L.A. Local President Jodi Long and Chief Administrative Officer Will Bensussen on June 28.