(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Jo Daun Kim Ye-na = The relics that the National Museum of Korea had introduced as patriotic writings but were removed after being revealed to be the work of a pro-Japanese person with the same name were revealed to be in director Yoo Hong-jun's personal collection.
While criticism continues that the national museum has inadequately verified its exhibits, some are calling for responsibility for not disclosing whether or not they are in possession of the museum.
According to data received from the National Museum of Korea on the 15th by Rep. Jeong Yeon-wook of the People's Power Party, a member of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the National Assembly, the museum stated that the relics concluded with the handwriting of Park Jung-yang (1874-1959, a pro-Japanese and anti-national activist) were "collections of Director Yoo Hong-jun."
In a document summarizing the details of the exhibition and collection information, the museum explained, "With the recommendation of the director, we borrowed the work in accordance with the procedures and used it for the exhibition."
The relic in question is the 'General Si-guk-eun' (一飯是國恩, meaning a bowl of rice is also a blessing to the country) ink that was introduced in the special exhibition 'Our Table' presented by the National Museum of Korea in July of this year.
Ink refers to writing or drawings left behind during one’s lifetime.
The museum introduced it with an article written by Park Won-geun (1912-1950), a patriotic citizen from Boeun, North Chungcheong Province, based on the signature of 'Korean (Park Won-geun)', and a photo of the bereaved family sobbing in the exhibition room was also released.
However, when it became known through a tip that Park Jung-yang's other name was Park Won-geun, the ink was removed, and the museum went through a verification process and concluded that it was the handwriting of Park Jung-yang, a pro-Japanese activist.
In materials submitted to the lawmaker's office, the museum said, "The calligraphy work 'General Poetry' was purchased by Director Yoo Hong-jun to donate to the Buyeo Cultural Center."
It was discovered that Director Yoo purchased the relic through an online auction in 2019.
At the auction at the time, this relic was offered at a starting price of 10,000 won and was finally sold for 50,000 won, and was introduced as the work of Park Deok-won, who participated as a member of the Joseon Tongsinsa company.
In the process of reading the cursive handwriting, I saw the name as Park Deok-won. The judgment that it was the handwriting of patriot Park Won-geun is presumed to have been made later.
Regarding the background of the exhibition, the museum explained, "We judged it to be Governor Park Won-geun's work based on the fact that there were no relics of the patriotic figure Park Won-geun that could be compared and the owner's message."
At the same time, he explained, "Director Yoo donated 865 pieces of calligraphy, painting, ceramics, and folk art to build the Buyeo County Museum of Art, and he also planned to donate oil and ink in the future."
As the owner was revealed to be the director, opinions are divided as to whether his conduct as the head of the museum was appropriate.
The museum became aware of the possibility of Park Jung-yang's handwriting through an external tip-off only a month after the exhibition opened, and later issued an official apology twice.
At the time, the museum issued an apology in the name of Director Yoo Hong-jun and said, "We reflect on the insufficient verification procedures for the exhibits and will cross-verify the history of the artifacts from various angles."
In the 'General Current Affairs' survey results, it was also stated that "confirming accurate facts about historical figures is the most basic responsibility that museums must keep before the public, but it was insufficient."
Director Yoo also apologized twice during his lecture.
In a lecture held on September 10, he bowed his head and said, “It was (the museum’s) lack of capacity and a mistake to not be able to read the exact meaning of the relics,” and “I fully feel the responsibility.”
However, while the museum and Director Yoo apologized four times, they did not reveal who the owner was.
In relation to this, the museum stated, "We did not disclose information regarding the owner in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act and the Standard Code of Ethics of the International Association of Museums (ICOM)."
He added, “For private collections that have never been revealed before, we are establishing procedures to ensure sufficient verification in advance,” adding, “We will apply them to future exhibitions.”
Amid criticism of 'self-recommendation, self-appraisal, and self-exhibition' centered around the political world, this controversy is expected to become an issue at the National Museum of Korea's government inspection held on the 19th.
