Minister Chae Hwi-young of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism dismissed rumors surrounding the selection of the next Director General of the Korea National Ballet as "groundless."
The Minister drew a line under shortlists raised in some reports and in and outside political circles, saying on her X (formerly Twitter) account on the 6th, "Strange, baseless rumors are circulating over the appointment of the Korea National Ballet's Director General."
Recently in the culture and arts community, speculation arose that a former university professor majoring in dance—an older figure who worked on President Lee Jae-myung's campaign last year and has no experience with a professional ballet company—is being strongly considered as the next Director General of the Korea National Ballet.
Regarding this, the Minister said, "During personnel appointments there are always various rumors and unfounded guesses, but this time they have gone way too far," adding, "I make it clear that from the beginning until now, not once has such a person ever appeared on the list of candidates I am carefully reviewing."
The Minister explained, "I am making this public in advance in case, if the appointment results differ from the rumors when announced later, people insist it was 'withdrawn midway.'" To the Korea National Ballet members, the Minister said, "Do not worry at all, and please focus on your performances."
Founded in 1962, the Korea National Ballet is a public interest foundation under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), and the institution's head—the Director General and artistic director—is appointed by the Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Since former Director General Kang Sue-jin stepped down in Apr., the post has remained vacant because a successor has not yet been selected.
Earlier that day, the Korea National Ballet members issued a statement in the name of all members, asking the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to "make a deep understanding of professional ballet company operations and artistic expertise the top criteria in the process of selecting the Director General and artistic director of the Korea National Ballet."