Seoul Metropolitan City confirmed on Friday the renewal of the contract between Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and world-renowned conductor Chung Myung-whun.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and Chung agreed on the new contract over a luncheon meeting on Friday in central Seoul.

Chung will continue at his post as the artistic director and conductor of the orchestra for the next three years with a reduced salary of 1.7 billion won. He will receive a basic salary of 242 million won, the same as the previous contract, and a 42.5 million won allowance per regular concert, up 5 percent.

The agreement came after a controversy arose about Chung’s previous annual salary of 2 billion won. He is known to have received business class airfare for his family and additional allowances for other expenses. Under the new contract, such airfares and additional expenses funds will no longer be provided. Chung also agreed to receive no allowance for free concerts performed at other venues. He received half the regular allowance for such concerts under the previous contract.

The final contract will be signed on Dec. 27.

By Park Min-young (claire@heraldcorp.com)