The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS) has included four South Koreans among 683 people invited to join the organization this year.
 
Directors Park Chan-wook, Lee Chang-dong, Kim So-yong and actor Lee Byung-hun were among the new members announced on Wednesday. 

It is the second time for the academy to invite South Koreans to join its ranks, following last year, when actors Choi Min-sik and Song Kang-ho, directors Im Kwon-taek and Bong Joon-ho, as well as animator Kim Sang-jin were invited. 
    
The local film industry is hailing the Academy's inclusions, saying the South Korean film industry and its professionals are getting recognized by the international community.

Academy members are eligible to vote on movies nominated for Academy Awards.