"Gwangju Biennale North Korean Artworks Import Confirmed as UN Sanctions Violation"

Rep. Kim Seung-soo Criticizes at Ministry of Culture Audit... Minister Hwang Hee Says "I Will Check"

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee appeared at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held on the 1st, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

The Gwangju Biennale has been accused of violating United Nations Security Council sanctions by importing North Korean artworks in 2018.

On the 1st, Kim Seung-soo, a member of the People Power Party, stated during the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism audit by the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, "Thirteen North Korean artworks produced by Mansudae Art Studio and others were exhibited at that time," adding, "Upon examining how they were obtained, it is certain that this violated UN Security Council sanctions." He criticized, "The Gwangju Biennale side claimed there was no problem because the works were brought from a private collector in China, and the Ministry of Unification also said there was no issue. However, Mansudae Art Studio was already designated as a sanctioned entity in 2017. Regardless of the acquisition route, if UN Security Council sanction exemption approval was not obtained, it constitutes a violation."

He continued, "Several experts also emphasize the violation of UN Security Council sanctions," and argued, "It is as if state agencies are helping North Korean artists from Mansudae Art Studio, who are exploited for foreign currency earnings, even using the national budget." In response, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee said, "We will look into it." When asked whether the case should be prosecuted for violating sanctions against North Korea, he replied, "There are aspects that need to be examined."