Misattributed Korean museum calligraphy belonged to its director
In short
A calligraphy work removed from the National Museum of Korea after its author was misidentified belonged to director Yu Hong-jun (유홍준), the museum told lawmakers. It had been presented as an independence activist's work but was later attributed to a collaborator with Japanese colonial rule.
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The National Museum of Korea told lawmakers that a calligraphy work removed after being misattributed to an independence activist belonged to its own director, Yu Hong-jun (유홍준). The museum said it borrowed the work following his recommendation and relied partly on the owner's account when deciding who had written it, according to Korean reports. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The work, whose inscription means that even a bowl of rice is the nation's grace, appeared in a special exhibition about dining. It was presented as calligraphy by independence activist Park Won-geun (박원근). Subsequent verification identified the author as Park Jung-yang (박중양), a collaborator with Japanese colonial rule who had also used that name. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
ZDNet Korea reported that the museum received a tip about the attribution on August 10, removed the work after visiting hours and asked seven experts to examine it. Their investigation covered handwriting, seals and personal histories. The museum announced the revised attribution on September 7 and apologized to the family and public, the outlet said. [ 5 ]
The museum acknowledged that specialists had not sufficiently cross-checked the handwriting and the author's background before display. It said it would strengthen checks on previously unexhibited private objects and expand its pool of modern-history experts. It explained that privacy rules and museum ethics had initially prevented disclosure of the owner's identity, according to ZDNet Korea and Kyunghyang Shinmun. [ 3 , 5 , 10 ]
Yu apologized again and said the work had been intended for donation to Buyeo, Seoul Economic Daily reported. Coverage also raised questions about other personal objects: Dong-A Ilbo quoted Yu as saying none had been exhibited after he became director, while a subsequent Chosun Ilbo report said another personally owned item had appeared in the same special exhibition. [ 6 , 7 , 12 ]
Why it matters
The disclosure has brought scrutiny of how the museum checks objects from private collections and handles a director's recommendations. The museum acknowledged inadequate expert cross-checking and promised stronger verification.
Key facts
- The museum said the work belonged to its director and was borrowed following his recommendation. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- It had been attributed to independence activist Park Won-geun (박원근) but was identified as the work of Park Jung-yang (박중양). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The museum admitted insufficient expert verification of handwriting and the author's history. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether another personally owned object was exhibited after the director took office. Dong-A Ilbo quoted his denial, while a later Chosun Ilbo report said a second personal item was included in the exhibition.