Exhibition of "Patriot's Calligraphy" Revealed to Be Written by Pro-Japanese Collaborator

[Anchor]

We reported to you last month about suspicions that a calligraphy piece on display at the National Museum of Korea, claimed to be by an independence activist, may have actually belonged to a pro-Japanese collaborator. Following an appraisal, the museum has repeatedly bowed its head in apology, confirming that the work belongs to a pro-Japanese figure.

Reporter An Huijae has the details.

[Reporter]

[August 13, SBS 8 News: A calligraphy work displayed at the National Museum of Korea as that of an independence activist was quietly removed. Suspicions were raised that the handwriting belonged to a pro-Japanese collaborator rather than an independence activist.]

The suspicions turned out to be true.

Following the SBS report, the National Museum of Korea formed an advisory group to conduct verification and concluded that the controversial artwork is "the calligraphy not of patriot Park Won-geun, but of Park Jung-yang, a pro-national collaborator."

This comes some 20 days after the museum stepped in to manage the fallout through a public apology.

The advisory group explained that based on the characteristics of the stroke process, the handwriting can be attributed to Park Jung-yang, and a seal phrase that he received from a calligrapher was also found on the work.

Circumstances indicating that Park Jung-yang used the same name as Patriot Park until he finished his studies in Japan in 1903 were also confirmed.

Contrary to the initial explanation that they failed to suspect it was a pro-Japanese work because of the word "Hanin," the advisory group pointed out that "it was a term frequently used by international students in Japan during the Korean Empire in front of foreigners," which is far from the trajectory of Patriot Park's life.

Director-General Yoo Hong-jun promised to strengthen the verification procedures for exhibition items, stating that "the basic responsibility of fact-checking was insufficient."

A museum official said, "There are currently no specialists in the Japanese colonial period at the National Museum of Korea," adding, "We will review plans to expand professional personnel."

[Seo Kyoung-duk / Professor, Sungshin Women's University: As a national museum representing our country, and with a massive influx of foreign tourists ranking it third in the world, this is quite regrettable. I hope this serves as a good opportunity to further enhance trust...]

A descendant of Patriot Park, who had shed tears of emotion believing the piece was a family heirloom, stated, "I cannot hide my dismay and deep regret," while expressing hope that "real independence movement" research to uncover the noble traces of independence contributors will begin in earnest.

(Video capture: Ha Ryung | Video editing: Choi Hye-ran | Design: Choi Jae-young | Data provided by: Korean History Database, Center for Historical Truth and Justice)

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