Ruling Party: "Kim Geon-hee's Van Gogh Exhibition History is False" vs Opposition: "Just Search and You'll Find... Irrelevant Questions"

Disputes Continue Over 2012 Hangaram Art Museum Exhibition

Yoon Seok-yeol, the wife of the People Power Party's presidential candidate, Kim Geon-hee, CEO of Kobana Contents, is issuing a statement regarding allegations of false credentials on the afternoon of December 26 last year at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jung-wan] The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party engaged in a dispute over the authenticity of allegations that Kim Gun-hee, wife of People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, falsified her exhibition history.

On the 22nd, the Democratic Party's campaign task force for current issues released a statement criticizing that in Yoon's written response submitted during the 2019 confirmation hearing for the Prosecutor General, the 2012 exhibition "Immortal Painter, Van Gogh in Paris" held at the Hangaram Design Museum of the Seoul Arts Center was listed as an event "hosted" by Kobana Contents.

Kim Byung-gi, head of the Democratic Party TF, said in the statement, "Following the Cartier exhibition, it has been revealed that the Van Gogh exhibition was not actually hosted or organized by Kim's company Kobana Contents," adding, "This insults artists who compete fairly and work hard to hold large-scale exhibitions at renowned art museums."

According to the TF, the Seoul Arts Center responded regarding the 2012 Van Gogh exhibition at the Hangaram Design Museum, "The organizer of the exhibition was the Hankook Ilbo Cultural Business Group," and "There is no evidence that Kobana Contents participated as a host or organizer."

Regarding production investment, they stated, "It is a matter of contract between the venue and sponsors, so it is difficult for the Seoul Arts Center to confirm."

Kim emphasized, "I hope that the words 'fairness' and 'common sense' will no longer come from candidate Yoon, who has armed himself with lies using public parties to hide crimes such as false resumes and stock manipulation by Kim's family."

In response, the People Power Party rebutted, stating, "The Van Gogh exhibition was a project produced and invested in by Kobana Contents," and threatened to hold the Democratic Party legally responsible.

Lee Yang-su, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party's election campaign headquarters, said in a commentary that day, "Even a simple internet search shows posters and pamphlets of the exhibition listing 'Production Investor Kobana Contents,'" and claimed, "Representative Kim Byung-gi asked irrelevant questions to the Seoul Arts Center."

He continued, "The Democratic Party keeps issuing false press releases and demanding explanations, but why are they silent on the public's question about who ate the sushi?" referring to Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung's 'corporate card misuse allegations.'

He added, "We urge them to immediately withdraw the press release and apologize," and warned, "Since they mentioned false exhibition history, we will hold them legally accountable."

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