Artistic Director Yoon Ho-geun Voluntarily Resigns... End of Turmoil at National Opera Company

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] Yoon Ho-geun, Artistic Director of the National Opera Company, voluntarily resigned on the 24th, the National Opera Company announced on the same day.

With the resignation of Artistic Director Yoon Ho-geun, the National Opera Company was able to move away from the confusing situation where two artistic directors, Yoon Ho-geun and Park Hyung-sik, were working together, and seek stability under a single artistic director system led by Park Hyung-sik.

Artistic Director Yoon stated that he is resigning to prevent confusion within the National Opera Company, normalize organizational operations, and promote the development of opera in the Republic of Korea.

Yoon Ho-geun was appointed as the Artistic Director of the National Opera Company in February 2018. Although his term was three years, he became embroiled in allegations of hiring irregularities in May of last year and received a dismissal notice from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Subsequently, in October of last year, the Ministry appointed Park Hyung-sik, former president of the Uijeongbu Arts Center, as the new director of the National Opera Company.

Immediately after receiving the dismissal notice, Artistic Director Yoon filed an administrative lawsuit against the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, claiming the dismissal was unjust. On the 8th, the 6th Division of the Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of former Director Yoon and canceled the dismissal order issued by the Ministry. With Yoon’s reinstatement, the National Opera Company faced a confusing situation with two artistic directors, but with Yoon’s announcement of his intention to resign, the confusion could be resolved.

The National Opera Company announced that on the 24th at 11 a.m., a farewell event for Artistic Director Yoon was held with the attendance of heads of cultural and artistic organizations, executives, and staff of the National Opera Company, where farewell greetings were exchanged.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.