[2022 National Audit] "US-Korea Summit Dinner Violated Museum Rental Regulations"

Closed three days in advance... 774 visitors canceled or changed
"Free venue fee also violates regulations... Only visitors suffer"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Concerns have been raised that the US-Korea summit dinner held at the National Museum of Korea on May 21 violated the museum's rental regulations.

According to audit materials released on the 18th by Lim Jong-seong, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee from the Democratic Party, exhibitions such as the 'Late Chairman Lee Kun-hee Donation Exhibition' and 'People Who Moved the Aztec Sun' were scheduled to be held at the National Museum of Korea on May 21. However, due to an urgent request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the museum was closed just three days prior. Of the 1,490 visitors who had reserved to see the exhibitions, 774 either canceled or changed their visits.

Article 1 of the National Museum of Korea's rental regulations states that "the museum facilities may be rented within the scope that does not cause disruption to events, exhibition artifacts, and facility maintenance." Representative Lim criticized, "Since exhibitions were scheduled, the rental for the US-Korea summit should have been rejected." He added, "The decision to waive the rental fee for the US-Korea summit also violates the regulations." According to the museum's viewing regulations, free rentals are only applicable to events held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Representative Lim emphasized, "Due to the government's hasty administration, only innocent visitors suffered damages," and urged, "There must be no violations of principles and regulations."

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