After the National Museum of Korea signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with entertainment agency HYBE and posted, then deleted, a photo of Director Yoo Hong-jun with Chairman Bang Si-hyuk on its official social media (SNS), Yoo issued an official apology, saying he "did not think it through."
At the Culture. Sports. and Tourism Committee's National Assembly audit on the 22nd, Jin Jong-oh of the People Power Party said, "The National Museum of Korea saw a sharp increase in visitors thanks to the 'K-culture effect,' but it was inappropriate to post a photo with Chairman Bang Si-hyuk after recently signing an MOU with HYBE and then delete it a day later."
Jin said, "Chairman Bang Si-hyuk said in 2019, just before HYBE's listing, that there were 'no plans to list,' and is under investigation for violating the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act over suspicions that this led investors to sell shares at low prices." He added that taking a photo with a person who was placed under an overseas travel ban in Aug. was not prudent.
In response, Yoo said, "I pursued the partnership because I thought the agreement with HYBE, through BTS, could be an opportunity for the National Museum of Korea to become widely known around the world," and explained, "After the MOU was signed, we took a photo together because Chairman Bang Si-hyuk is also a junior acquaintance of mine." The two are seniors and juniors from the Seoul National University aesthetics department.
He added, "I apologize here," and said, "I will make sure that such a trivial matter does not burden the institution."