South Korean film director Kim Ki-duk dies from COVID-19 at 59

South Korean film director Kim Ki-duk. /CFP

Award-winning South Korean film director Kim Ki-duk has reportedly died from COVID-19 complications while on a visit to Latvia.

The 59-year-old filmmaker died at a Latvian hospital in the early hours of December 11. South Korean media outlets

Yonhap

and Chosun Daily

reported the news citing Russian news agency TASS and Latvian news portal Delfi. But the filmmaker's death has not been confirmed in South Korea.

Born on December 20, 1960, inBonghwa County,North Gyeongsang province, Kim was one of several pioneering South Korean directors to earn international fame. Two of his films, including 2003 feature "Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring," competed for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

In 2004, he took home the Silver Bear for Best Directoratthe 54th Berlin International Film Festivalfor"SamariaGril," and the Silver Lionfor Best Director atthe 61st Venice International Film Festivalfor"3-Iron."

Other honors include his 2011 documentary "Arirang", an Un Certain Regardprize at the Cannes Film Festival and "Pietà,"the 18th feature written and directed byKim, the Golden Lionatthe 69th Venice International Film Festival in 2012.