Lee Hye-hoon "Moon Jun-yong Should Return COVID-19 Damage Support Funds... Seoul City Must Clarify Support Basis"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former People Power Party lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon, who declared her candidacy for Seoul mayor, criticized Moon Joon-yong, the eldest son of President Moon, for receiving 14 million won in COVID-19 relief funds, saying, "Wouldn't it be better to return it?" She also demanded that the Seoul city authorities clearly disclose the criteria for Moon's support.

On the 21st, Lee posted on Facebook, "Even in the visual arts category where Moon was selected for COVID-19 relief funds, only 46 out of 281 applications were approved, meaning 84% of affected artists received no support," raising suspicions about whether the screening process, criteria, and procedures were appropriate.

She said, "Seoul city explained the reason for support as 'selection based on three canceled exhibitions due to COVID-19, the appropriateness and validity of the project, and that the evaluation focused more on qualitative damages rather than quantitative facts,'" adding, "The Seoul city’s response that qualitative damages were emphasized rather than quantitative facts is typically given when subjective judgments of the screening committee, which are difficult to explain with objective data, are heavily involved."

Lee pointed out, "Support for artists affected by COVID-19 was an emergency injection of public funds considering the characteristics of the arts field, where many artists struggle to make a living and the sector was severely impacted by COVID-19," noting that 84% of artists in the visual arts category, where Moon was selected, received no support. She also highlighted that Moon received the highest amount per case (6 million to 14 million won).

She said, "To resolve public suspicions about whether Moon’s selection was appropriate in terms of procedures and criteria, Seoul city should specifically disclose the screening criteria, scoring, basis, status of rejected applicants with similar damages, reasons for rejection, and supporting evidence," adding, "For example, regarding the 'three canceled exhibitions' cited as the basis for Moon’s support, it is necessary to disclose in detail the titles, contents, locations, and schedules of each planned exhibition."

Lee criticized, "One of the three canceled exhibitions, known as 'Beyond the Gaze, Somewhere in Between,' is currently being held at Geumsan Gallery," adding, "Since exhibitions with the same title but completely different content are not usually held, it is highly likely that the exhibition that was canceled and for which the support funds were received is the same one. If so, wouldn't it be right to return the COVID-19 relief funds already received?"

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