During Reporter Days, Criticized for Column Bias as "Criticism of Powerful Regimes"
Responding to Criticism of Weak Connection with Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: "Policy Designed Based on Overseas Experience"
Park Bo-gyun, the nominee for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, responded to criticism that his columns written during his time as a journalist were biased by stating, "The basic stance of a journalist is to criticize powerful and incumbent regimes." Park is a journalist who joined JoongAng Ilbo in 1981 and has served as political chief, editorial writer, editor-in-chief, editor, and senior reporter. Some critics argue that his columns from his journalist days were biased and tended to defend certain individuals. There are also concerns about his limited connection to the cultural and artistic fields.
On the 11th at 2 p.m., as he arrived at the temporary office where the confirmation hearing preparation team is located, Park rebutted by saying, "I also criticized the mistakes of the Park Geun-hye administration." Regarding views that he overly highlighted President-elect Yoon Seok-youl during his time as Prosecutor General, he referred to a column likening Yoon to the old man in Ernest Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea. "Looking at the scene of 'The Old Man and the Sea' in Cuba, the phrase 'calm and strong' struck me deeply," he explained, "The way Prosecutor General Yoon confronts the living power seemed similar to the old man's lonely fighting spirit in 'The Old Man and the Sea.'"
Park is the person responsible for generating public opinion to purchase the Korean Empire Legation in the United States through columns and lectures. Before the deal was finalized, he visited Washington DC about twenty times to collect and study related materials. Except for overseas cultural assets, his connection to the culture, sports, and tourism sectors is relatively weak. His journalistic experience has also been concentrated in political and international fields. Park said, "Although I mainly worked as a political reporter, I wrote many articles in fields such as culture and arts, content, history, sports, and tourism," adding, "Even when abroad, I tend to visit cultural and artistic sites, museums, historical halls, and archives first." He continued, "I have observed how various countries promote, differentiate, and build competitiveness in culture, arts, sports, and tourism policies," and stated, "Based on firsthand experience, I will make efforts to devise related policies."
President-elect Yoon introduced Park at a press conference announcing ministerial appointments the previous day as "a person who has worked as a journalist for nearly 40 years with interest and passion for our culture and history." Park said, "He has seen much of my writing and knows well my passion for culture, arts, and content," adding, "I was asked to promote policies well." Referring to the guestbook entry President-elect Yoon wrote at the National Cemetery on the 12th of last month, stating, 'I will build a country of integration and prosperity with great citizens,' Park pledged, "The real start of prosperity and integration must begin with culture. I will support policies so that all citizens can enjoy culture fairly and without discrimination."
Park also emphasized the eradication of the blacklist in the cultural and artistic community. "As I mentioned yesterday (at the ministerial appointment press conference), the word 'blacklist' itself existed like a nightmare in the past," he said, stressing, "Under the Yoon Seok-youl administration, the word 'blacklist' cannot exist at all." Regarding the recent petition by former ministers and vice ministers of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to stop disciplinary actions against officials involved in the blacklist, he said, "I will observe how the current Minister Hwang Hee's administration handles this and will announce my position later."
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