The Motion Picture Association of America wants more collaboration with the Korean film industry, MPAA chairman Christopher Dodd said in Seoul on Wednesday.

Dodd was speaking at a luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

The former U.S. Democratic Party senator said Korea was one of the U.S.’ most significant trade partners, adding that the partnership between the two nations would only deepen in the years to come.

Commenting on the success of Korean films by directors Im Kwon-taek and Kim Ki-duk, Dodd said that Korean filmmakers were producing competitive works as well as creative ideas, as seen at the Busan International Film Festival.

The world of fast-evolving media content needs to pay more attention to intellectual property rights that are often threatened by illegal distribution of patented works, the chairman said.

Dodd also talked about the effect of hallyu, patents related to films and job creation in the film industry, according to participants.

By Chung Joo-won