You Hong-june, director of the National Museum of Korea, apologizes at the National Assembly's annual audit conducted by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on Monday. (Yonhap)
You Hong-june, director of the National Museum of Korea, apologizes at the National Assembly's annual audit conducted by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee on Monday. (Yonhap)

You Hong-june, director of the National Museum of Korea, announced his resignation on Wednesday following the controversy over his recommendation to include a scroll from his private collection in the museum's recent exhibition, "The Korean Table: Food, Nature and Life."

The artifact, known as “Ilbansigukeun," drew scrutiny after it emerged that You had recommended it for display. The calligraphy piece has also been the center of controversy after it was revealed to be written by a pro-Japanese collaborator when Korea was under Japan's colonial rule.

“The deep trust that the public has placed in the National Museum of Korea and the values built by its staff over the years have been undermined in an instance due to my personal mistake,” You said in a statement. “I take full responsibility for all the criticism.”

“I have concluded that stepping down as the director is the right course of action to restore the museum’s tarnished reputation,” he added.

You has served as the director of the National Museum of Korea since July, 2025.


mjcha@heraldcorp.com