Pro-Japanese Calligraphy Controversy: National Museum Chief Yu Hong-jun Resigns

[Anchor]

It was recently revealed that a piece of calligraphy by a pro-Japanese collaborator, which was exhibited as the handwriting of a patriotic martyr, was actually part of the personal collection of National Museum of Korea Director Yu Hong-jun. As the controversy grew, Director Yu offered his resignation, and President Lee Jae-myung accepted it.

Reporter Kim Gyeong-hui has the details.

[Reporter]

During a parliamentary audit, National Museum of Korea Director Yu Hong-jun bowed his head in apology over the controversy surrounding his self-submission of pro-Japanese calligraphy, but refrained from mentioning resignation.

[Yu Hong-jun / Director, National Museum of Korea: I will ensure that such a mistake is never made again...]

[Yoon Yong-keun / People Power Party Lawmaker: Do you consider that sufficient to fulfill your responsibility?]

[Yu Hong-jun / Director, National Museum of Korea: I believe we need to overhaul the system.]

However, just two days later, he offered to resign, stating, "I have reached the conclusion that stepping down is the right thing to do to restore the tarnished reputation of the museum."

This comes 15 months after he took office.

It was previously confirmed that the brushwork exhibited at the National Museum of Korea as the writing of patriotic martyr Park Won-geun was actually the work of a pro-Japanese collaborator. Further revelations showed that the artwork was a personal piece that Director Yu had purchased for 50,000 won through an online auction, and that he had personally recommended it for the exhibition.

Director Yu stated that the deep trust the public placed in the National Museum of Korea and the value built by the museum staff collapsed in an instant due to his mistake, adding that all criticism is entirely his responsibility.

An art historian by trade, Yu became widely known for his book series "My Cultural Heritage Tour," but has faced various controversies throughout his public service career.

During his tenure as the Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he held a luncheon event using heating equipment at a royal tomb where cooking was prohibited, and purchased and distributed his own books using the administration's budget.

He also faced controversy for being on an overseas trip that was criticized as pleasure travel during the fire at Sungnyemun Gate.

Following this incident, which erupted just as the National Museum of Korea rose to become the world's third-largest museum in terms of visitor numbers, calls are growing to overhaul the verification systems for artifacts and exhibition items.

(Video Journalist: Oh Se-gwan | Video Editor: Kim Ho-jin | Designer: Han Heung-su)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.