President Lee Jae-myung took aim at former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife during a Korea Heritage Service briefing.
On the 16th, during a joint briefing by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Heritage Service, and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission at the Government Sejong Convention Center in Sejong, President Lee asked Korea Heritage Service Commissioner Heo Min, "There are even claims that people just went in and borrowed (cultural assets) at will," and asked, "Did you get back everything that was lent out?"
It is seen as targeting suspicions that Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, unlawfully borrowed cultural assets within the Korea Heritage Service and placed them at the official residence and elsewhere.
Earlier, former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife borrowed 63 master craftworks from the Korea Heritage Service's Traditional Crafts Bank during his term. In particular, the couple damaged one teacup and paid 3 million won in compensation.
Lee went on to say, "It seems the public is interested not only in items that museums have designated for display, but also in cultural assets kept in storage."
When Commissioner Heo said they had been returned, Lee asked again, "Has that been clearly verified? I heard one was broken," and when told that 3 million won had been paid for the damage, he said, "They must not be broken."
Lee said, "All administration must meet the public's expectations. Whether a Minister or a president, no one is part of a privileged class," adding, "Unless there is a rational need for state affairs, everyone should of course be treated equally."
Commissioner Heo of the Korea Heritage Service added, "We admit what was done wrong over the past three years and apologize to the public," and said, "We have changed all related systems this time."