Korean museum chief apologises for misattributed calligraphy from his own collection
In short
National Museum of Korea director Yu Hong-jun (유홍준) apologised at a parliamentary audit on October 19 over calligraphy wrongly displayed as an independence activist's work. He also admitted failing to disclose earlier that the piece belonged to him.
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National Museum of Korea director Yu Hong-jun (유홍준) apologised at a parliamentary audit on October 19 for displaying calligraphy from his own collection under the wrong attribution. Speaking before his work report to the National Assembly's culture committee, he apologised to the public, the independence activist's family and museum employees. He said his failure had damaged the institution's credibility. [ 7 , 8 , 10 , 12 ]
The piece, Ilban Sigug-eun (일반시국은), meaning that even a bowl of rice is a gift from the country, was displayed in a special exhibition that opened in July. It was presented as the work of independence activist Bak Won-geun (박원근). Outside information raised doubts because Japanese collaborator Bak Jung-yang (박중양) had also used that name. After removing the work, the museum consulted seven experts and concluded that it was Bak Jung-yang's calligraphy. [ 10 , 12 , 23 ]
Yu purchased the piece at an online auction in 2019 for 50,000 won. He acknowledged that earlier apologies had not disclosed his ownership. Asked whether it had been independently appraised, he said he had been confident because he specialised in calligraphy history. He said he initially avoided mentioning ownership lest it appear boastful, and later felt ashamed of his mistake as an art historian. [ 8 , 13 , 14 , 23 ]
Opposition lawmakers demanded his resignation and questioned whether his position had made it difficult for staff to challenge his assessment. Seoul Shinmun reported the museum's response that no calligraphy specialist took part in selecting the piece and that individual exhibits were not separately verified. The museum said it would strengthen procedures to ensure sufficient verification when using previously unexhibited privately owned objects. [ 3 , 4 , 14 ]
Why it matters
Lawmakers questioned the museum's verification procedures and demanded that Yu resign. The museum said it would strengthen checks on previously unexhibited items from private collections.
Key facts
- Yu apologised to the public, the independence activist's family and museum staff. [ 7 , 10 , 12 ]
- The calligraphy was attributed to independence activist Bak Won-geun (박원근) but later identified as work by Japanese collaborator Bak Jung-yang (박중양). [ 10 , 12 , 23 ]
- Yu bought the piece at an online auction in 2019 for 50,000 won. [ 3 , 13 , 23 ]
- He said he had been confident in the attribution because he specialised in calligraphy history. [ 14 , 23 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How far Yu's position influenced staff assessments of the piece. An opposition lawmaker raised the possibility that staff would have found it difficult to challenge the director's judgement.