Kim Young-hwan "Moon Jun-yong received support funds again... I need to take blood pressure medicine"

Moon Jun-yong, son of President Moon Jae-in and active as a media art artist, recently received news that he was granted 69 million won in government support. Former National Assembly member Kim Young-hwan criticized this on his Facebook on the 19th. The photo shows artist Moon Jun-yong explaining his work at an exhibition held last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Moon Joon-yong, son of President Moon Jae-in, who is active as a media art artist, recently announced that he received 69 million won in government support funds. In response, former National Assembly member Kim Young-hwan criticized, saying, "Moon Joon-yong received it again," and "This is not something to be proud of but something that should not be done."

On the 19th, former lawmaker Kim shared an article titled "President Moon's son Joon-yong selected for 69 million won government support fund... 'Something to be proud of'" on his Facebook and made these remarks. He strongly criticized the fact that Moon was selected for government support funds by repeatedly asking, "Is there no elder in that family? Or was it impossible to stop him? Does he not know that his father is the president?"

Former lawmaker Kim added, "It's not even noblesse oblige, and I feel really bad, but I can't say anything." Noblesse oblige refers to the social responsibility and moral obligation required of the ruling class.

As Moon Joon-yong, son of President Moon Jae-in, is active as a media art artist and recently received 69 million won in government support funds, former National Assembly member Kim Young-hwan criticized on his Facebook on the 19th, saying, "Moon Joon-yong received it again," and "It is not something to be proud of, but something that should not be done."
Photo by Facebook capture

Earlier, Moon announced on Facebook on the 18th that he had been selected as a recipient of the Korea Arts & Culture Education Service's 'Art and Technology Convergence Support Project' grant. Moon stated that he was selected for a 69 million won grant in the project, adding, "Among 102 applicants, 15 were selected for similar amounts, and a total of 24 recipients were chosen."

Moon also expressed concerns. He said, "This is something to be congratulated on and something to be proud of, but I worry that some people might not see it that way," and added, "If there are opinions that need to be addressed, I will respond." He further explained, "Art and technology convergence is a field I have worked in for a long time, so I applied with great care," and "Being selected for this project is a great honor, and my profession is evaluated based on such achievements."

Meanwhile, Moon was embroiled in a preferential treatment controversy in April last year. At that time, Moon received 14 million won in emergency art support funds for COVID-19 damage from the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which sparked controversy.

In response, on March 21, Moon personally revealed the artwork involved in the controversy over receiving the 'COVID-19 Emergency Art Support Fund.' He posted a YouTube video link introducing the work titled 'Augmented Shadow-Inside' on his Facebook, describing it as "the very work that many complained about me receiving the support fund for." He emphasized, "I really put a lot of effort into making it."