Korea Pictures, the indieproduction and distribution house behind many of Korea's most commerciallysuccessful pictures, is to strike out alone with its own sales venture.

The new sales company, whichwill officially launch at Cannes, is to be headed by Cho Eun-jung, who mostrecently was a sales executive with E Pictures.

The diversification intosales caps a year of upheaval for the company. Korea Pictures had previously seen its titles - including Friend,My Wife Is A Gangster, Champion and SpringSummer Autumn Winter.. Spring -handled internationally by Cineclick Asia. Other changes at the group includedlast year's breakaway by co-chief DJ Kim and other staff to form production andinvestment boutique Show East.

Korea Pictures' 2004production and sales slate is headed by Blue Swallow (Chongyeon), a $5m adventure based on the true story of Korea's first womanaviator. Directed by Yun Jong-chan, previously responsible for the acclaimedgenre piece Sorum, the film will shoot in Korea, Japan and Los Angeles.

Other titles will include MyLittle Bride, a romantic comedyabout an arranged marriage, and an untitled film about a student priest who hasto make a choice between God and the girl he meets while in seminary.