Controversy Over Goguryeo and Balhae Chronology... National Museum Director's Public Apology: "A Clear Mistake for Trusting China"

Yoon Sung-yong, Director of the National Museum of Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] On the 20th, Yoon Seong-yong, director of the National Museum of Korea, issued a public apology regarding the Chinese National Museum's removal of Goguryeo and Balhae from the Korean history timeline on display.

Regarding the fact that the arbitrary modification of the timeline by the Chinese side was discovered only after 50 days, Director Yoon stated in the apology, "It was a clear mistake of our museum, which had trusted only the Chinese side, and there is no excuse. As the responsible director of the National Museum of Korea, I accept any criticism from the public and sincerely apologize."

He also announced measures to prevent recurrence. Director Yoon said, "To prevent such incidents from happening again, we will revise the 'Standard Agreement for Overseas Exhibition of Our Cultural Heritage' to clearly include a clause to recall exhibits if the exhibition content differs from the original agreement. We will also amend the 'National Museum Regulations' to strengthen the escort officer's duty to verify exhibition content. Furthermore, we will establish a cooperative system with local diplomatic missions regarding exhibition-related work to ensure that such incidents do not recur."

The fact that the Korean history timeline excluding Goguryeo and Balhae was displayed at the 'Ancient Bronze Ware Exhibition of Korea, China, and Japan,' held at the National Museum of China in Beijing since July 26, was revealed through media reports on the 13th.

After belatedly recognizing the situation through media reports, the National Museum of Korea explained, "Before the exhibition, we provided the Korean history timeline to the National Museum of China on June 30, but the Chinese side arbitrarily edited the timeline provided by our museum." They added, "It is an international convention to faithfully reflect the materials provided by the provider in exhibitions, but the Chinese side's attitude in this case damages the trust relationship, which is deeply concerning. We strongly demanded immediate correction and an apology from the Chinese side."

After the National Museum of Korea expressed its position to suspend the exhibition viewing and to withdraw the exhibits early, on the 15th, the National Museum of China decided to remove the Korean history timeline excluding Goguryeo and Balhae.