Government: "Payment for BTS UN Performance to Be Made Soon"

Criticism of Overseas Culture Promotion Agency at National Audit "Recent Follow-up Procedures Completed"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 14th that the group BTS, who attended the United Nations (UN) General Assembly as special envoys of President Moon Jae-in, will soon receive the related payment. An official stated, "The Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange signed a service contract ahead of BTS's UN performance," adding, "The service was completed on the 20th of last month, and the payment decision has already been made." They also said, "The recent follow-up procedures have been finalized, and the payment is planned to be made soon."

On the same day, Kim Seung-soo (People Power Party), a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, inquired during the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange's audit whether the payment related to BTS's UN special envoy activities had been made. Park Jung-ryeol, the head of the foundation, replied, "Not yet." In response, Rep. Kim said, "A Blue House official said on the 30th of last month that the payment had been made, and Tak Hyun-min, the Blue House Protocol Secretary, also stated on a broadcast on the 1st that the payment was completed," asking, "Are you lying to the entire nation?" He further requested the submission of documents containing the basis for the calculation, stating, "I heard the travel expenses were more than twice the known amount of 700 million won." Regarding this, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism explained, "It was pre-agreed that the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange would settle and pay all expenses incurred by BTS," adding, "The payment has not been made simply because a confirmation letter has not yet been received from BTS's side."