GNP to Accuse Cultural Agency Head

The Grand National Party announced on Feb. 19 that it would request prosecutors conduct an investigation into allegations that Yoo Hong-joon, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, received illegal gifts from Korean Air to travel to Europe. His trip occurred at the time of the arson attack on Sungnyemun.

GNP floor leader Ahn Sang-soo said at the party’s planning meeting held in the National Assembly, “For his official 9-day trip to Europe from February 6 to 14, Yoo received airplane tickets, and room and board from Korean Air, which asked him to attend the opening ceremony for a Korean-language guide system in the Louvre.”

Ahn added, “As Yoo flew first class with his wife, who normally is not allowed to travel with her husband on official business, our party has no other choice but to suspect that he profited from financial gifts from Korean Air.”

The GNP plans to submit the investigation request to the Supreme Public Prosecutors` Office on Wednesday and will urge an immediate investigation over the allegations in the hopes that it will ensure governmental and social stability, as well as the ethics of civil servants.

An unnamed prosecutor related to the case said, “An investigation into allegations related to Yoo will be decided after reviewing whether or not he received was related to his job or beyond what is normally acceptable.”

jkmas@donga.com