Seoul:The director of the National Museum of Korea, You Hong-june, has issued a formal apology following the wrongful attribution of a calligraphic work from his private collection that was displayed at the museum. During an annual parliamentary audit, You expressed regret, describing the incident as a "grave mistake and oversight" and bowed twice in apology.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the calligraphy piece, titled "Ilbansigukeun," which translates to "even a single bowl of rice is the grace of the nation," was initially attributed to Korean independence activist Park Won-geun. It was featured in the museum's special exhibition, "Our Dining Table." However, a month into the exhibition, allegations emerged that the piece was actually created by Park Jung-yang, a known pro-Japanese collaborator during Korea's colonial period under Japan. An investigation by seven external experts confirmed the work was indeed by Park Jung-yang, leading to its removal.
The museum and You had previously apologized for the verification error but had not revealed that the item was from You's personal collection. Criticism intensified after it was revealed that another piece from You and a "Stone Tiger" statue donated by his wife were also displayed. Although You claimed the calligraphy was purchased for donation, suspicions arose that displaying personal items at the national museum might have been an attempt to enhance their value.
The controversy has drawn widespread criticism in the cultural sector, with a former museum official describing the situation as "devastating." Questions have been raised about whether You had the calligraphy professionally authenticated before its display. He admitted he did not, due to his confidence in its authenticity, based on his academic background in calligraphy history.
You, an art historian and author of the bestselling series "My Exploration of Cultural Heritage," expressed deep remorse for the oversight and the impact it has had on the museum's reputation.