Kim Geun-sik: "Moon Jun-yong Lives Independently Without Any Communication with His President Father"

On the afternoon of October 22, last year, one day before the opening of the '2020 Paradise Art Lab Festival,' Moon Jun-yong, the son of President Moon Jae-in, explained his artwork to the press at Paradise City in Yeongjongdo, Incheon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Former People Power Party Vision Strategy Office Chief Kim Geunsik criticized the news that Moon Joon-yong, son of President Moon Jae-in, was selected for the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service's Arts and Technology Convergence Support Project funding, asking, "Do they live independently without any communication with their father, the president?"

On the 23rd, Kim posted on his Facebook, stating, "If his artistic achievements take precedence over his father's political burden, then I have nothing to say."

He began by saying, "As a media art artist, I fully understand Moon Joon-yong's feelings. I fully understand his grievances and sense of accomplishment as an artist."

However, he criticized, "Still, if he is the son of the sitting president and has gone through a big controversy last year over COVID-19 artist support funds, at least during his father's term, if he had shown self-sacrifice by voluntarily avoiding competitions funded by taxpayers' money, it would have eventually become a more beautiful anecdote."

He continued, "If there had been at least minimal communication with the president father, considering the uproar over the 19 million won support last year, it would have been appropriate to voluntarily give up the 69 million won competition support for his father," adding, "Such restraint is a virtue fully expected of a family member of the sitting president."

He further stated, "Even if he was recognized for his skills as an artist and selected through a public competition, he should quietly and unobtrusively continue his work as an artist," and criticized, "The reckless narcissism of openly boasting on Facebook about receiving 69 million won in support, claiming it as an 'honor' and something to be 'praised,' ultimately exacerbated the problem."

Kim added, "Dr. Jill Biden, although the First Lady, quietly and diligently does her work as a current professor without making a fuss."

In conclusion, he urged, "If Moon also has pride and sincerity in his work as an artist, please refrain from bragging and showing off about winning public competitions, and just quietly focus on your work as an artist," emphasizing, "Again, I want to see a presidential family that is not loud or disruptive."

Former Kim Geun-sik, Vision Strategy Director of the People Power Party, is presenting at the Vision Storytelling PT held at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on January 29. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 18th, Moon himself announced on his Facebook that he had been selected for 69 million won in funding from the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service's Arts and Technology Convergence Support Project, saying, "It is something to be congratulated and proud of, but I am worried that some might not see it that way."

In response to the controversy, on the 23rd, Moon explained on his Facebook, "Experimental works generally do not sell well," adding, "Therefore, artists who do this kind of work usually receive production costs from national or public art museums or get support funds like this to create their works."

He further explained, "It is similar to sports without professional competitions," and clarified, "Telling me not to apply for national support funds is like telling an athlete not to participate in competitions."

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