In the controversy over ‘pro-Japanese handwriting’… Hongjun Yoo "I'm sure he's a major, I deeply regret it" (comprehensive)

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Ye-na = Director Yoo Hong-jun of the National Museum of Korea expressed his confidence as a researcher regarding the relics that were introduced in patriotic writing, but were later revealed to be in pro-Japanese writing.

Director Yoo was asked by Rep. Kim Seung-soo of the People's Power Party whether he had ever received an appraisal of Yu-mook during the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit held on the 19th, saying, "I was sure because I myself majored in calligraphy."

Afterwards, when Rep. Yoon Yong-geun of the same party asked, ‘What procedures did you use to verify your work before exhibiting it?’, he corrected his field of study to say, “It is the result of my personal appraisal of majoring in the history of calligraphy and painting.”

Director Yoo is an art historian well known as the author of the best-selling book 'My Cultural Heritage Exploration'. He graduated from Seoul National University's Department of Aesthetics and received master's and doctoral degrees from Hongik University and Sungkyunkwan University.

Since making his debut as an art critic at the Dong-A Ilbo Spring Literary Festival in 1981, he has mainly worked as an art historian who tells stories about Korean cultural heritage and history.

Director Yoo bowed his head and apologized twice before reporting on the government audit work that day.

Regarding this controversy, he sighed and said, "I feared that it would be my personal pride that I did not disclose that it was my collection when I presented the 'General Siguk' ink painting."

He then confessed, “After it was revealed to be the work of (pro-Japanese) Park Jung-yang (1874-1959), I felt ashamed as an art historian,” and “I am ashamed and deeply regretful.”

Director Yoo expressed his gratitude to the informant who raised the possibility that it was Park Jung-yang's handwriting, adding, "If it weren't for him, it would have been recognized as the work of patriot Park Won-geun (1912-1950)."

Director Yoo also quoted part of the work, saying, “Tolstoy said in ‘Resurrection’ that love and pride become memories as time passes, but mistakes and guilt remain in the present tense.”

He added, “We will take this as a lesson and work to restore the museum’s reputation.”

However, Director Yoo declined to comment when asked about responsibility for the controversy over his personal collection.

When asked whether he should take responsibility as a director, he simply said, "I think we need to reorganize the system so that mistakes like this don't happen again."

‘General Si-guk-eun’ is a text written by Yu-muk that means ‘even a bowl of rice is a blessing to the country.’

The National Museum of Korea introduced Yumuk as the handwriting of patriot Park Won-geun (1912-1950), based on the signature of 'Korean Park Won-geun', at 'Our Table' held in July of this year.

However, after an external tip, suspicions were raised that Park Won-geun was another name for pro-Japanese and anti-national activist Park Jung-yang (1874-1959), and after consultation with experts, it was confirmed that the handwriting was Park Jung-yang's.

It was discovered that Director Yoo purchased the relic through an online auction in 2019.

At the auction, Yumuk was introduced as the work of Park Deok-won, who participated as a member of the Joseon Tongsinsa agency, and was sold at a starting price of 10,000 won and ultimately sold for 50,000 won.

Regarding the insurance valuation stated in the ‘exhibition consent form’ written when submitting the exhibit, Director Yoo said, “The ‘general market value’ for Yoo Muk is 300,000 won.”

The insurance valuation is the limit you can receive in case of accidents such as damage or theft.

Meanwhile, regarding the donation of about 860 artifacts to the Buyeo Cultural Center in South Chungcheong Province since 2019, Director Yoo said, “I received a family audit because I donated it without my wife’s knowledge.”