[2022 National Audit] Blacklist Artists Compensation 6.7 Billion Won... Likely to Increase

Seven Closed Cases All Resulted in State Compensation
"A Waste of Public Funds... System Needs Improvement"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The government has confirmed that the compensation to be paid to cultural and artistic figures who suffered damages from being placed on the blacklist amounts to approximately 6.7 billion KRW.

According to data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism disclosed on the 5th by Jeon Jae-su, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee (Democratic Party), there are fourteen lawsuits filed regarding the cultural and artistic blacklist. Seven cases have been concluded, all resulting in state compensation payments. Four cases ended with partial plaintiff victories, two with recommended settlements, and one with compulsory mediation. The lawsuit with the largest compensation amount involves claims from 121 blacklisted artists. The court ruled that the government must pay 1.442 billion KRW in compensation.

Similar outcomes are expected in the remaining seven cases. Except for two cases where rulings have not yet been made, five cases have resulted in partial plaintiff victories. Among these, one case's awarded compensation reaches 4.53 billion KRW.

Assemblyman Jeon pointed out, "The compensation is borne by taxpayers' money," adding, "Following the mental and material damages suffered by cultural and artistic figures, public funds are being wasted." He emphasized, "Not only should measures be taken to prevent recurrence, but institutional improvements such as claims for indemnity against those who ordered and executed the blacklist should also be considered."

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