FIRST OFF . . .

The South Korean government and the United States’ Motion Picture Export Assn. of America have agreed to a pact that will stop alleged Korean discrimination against American films in Korea. Monday’s announcement of the deal came on the eve of a reported decision by U.S. Trade Representative Clayton Yeutter to launch a formal investigation into practices involving the Korean distribution of American films. The agreement was made after repeated protests by the South Koreans over the direct distribution of U.S. films, culminating with October’s release of “Fatal Attraction” in Seoul. Threats had been made to theater exhibitor’s showing the film, along with reports of live snakes being released in theaters. With “backing by the warranty of the Korean Government,” the pact gives U.S. film companies access to the Korean theatrical, TV and home video market. Under terms of the agreement, the Korean government will make “good faith” efforts to assure U.S. film companies unrestricted access to the South Korean market: No limitation on the number of prints in circulation and no putative censorship of American films only. The settlement reaffirms a 1986 pact signed by South Korea that has not been enforced.