[2025 Audit] Director Yoo Hongjun Responds to Criticism Over Bang Sihyuk Photo: "Saw It as a BTS Promotion Opportunity"

Yoo Hongjun, director of the National Museum of Korea, is reporting on work during the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit of the National Museum of Korea and the National Library of Korea held on the 22nd in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Yoo Hongjun, director of the National Museum of Korea, apologized, saying, "I did not think it through," regarding the incident in which the museum posted, then deleted, a photo taken with Bang Sihyuk, chairman of Hybe, on its official social networking service (SNS) account immediately after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the entertainment agency.

During the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit on the 22nd, Jin Jongoh, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out, "It was inappropriate for the National Museum of Korea to upload and then delete, within a day, a photo taken with Chairman Bang Sihyuk after recently signing a business agreement with Hybe."

Assemblyman Jin stated, "Chairman Bang is under investigation for violating the Capital Markets Act, as he allegedly induced investors to sell their shares at low prices by stating, just before Hybe's 2019 listing, that there were 'no plans for an IPO.' In August of this year, he was also placed under a travel ban."

In response, Director Yoo explained, "I did not want to miss the opportunity to promote the National Museum of Korea globally through BTS and others. After the business agreement was signed, I took a photo with Chairman Bang, who is also a personal junior of mine." The two are known to be alumni of the aesthetics department at Seoul National University.

Director Yoo added, "I did not think it through enough. I apologize here today," and stated, "I will make sure that such minor incidents do not bring harm to the institution."

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