(LEAD) National museum chief offers to resign over misattributed work from private collection

Seoul, October 21 (Yonhap) -- The director of the National Museum of Korea, You Hong-june, has tendered his resignation over a controversy surrounding the display of a misattributed calligraphic work from his private collection. The artwork, attributed to a pro-Japanese collaborator during Japan's colonial rule of Korea (1910-45), was falsely credited to a Korean independence activist. The museum subsequently removed the piece from its ongoing special exhibition.

In a statement to reporters, You admitted that he should resign to restore the museum's tarnished honor, emphasizing that the public's deep trust in the institution and the staff's hard work were compromised due to his mistake. He apologized twice and bowed before lawmakers during a parliamentary audit on Monday, but calls for his resignation continued from cultural sector figures and opposition politicians, who deemed an apology insufficient.

You, a prominent art historian and bestselling author of "My Exploration of Cultural Heritage," had previously served as head of the Cultural Heritage Administration (now Korea Heritage Service) from 2004 to 2008 before assuming his current role as museum director. He apologized publicly again, expressing deep regret to those disappointed by the incident, the bereaved family of the independence activist, and the museum staff.

Despite the short 15-month tenure, You acknowledged the honor of participating in the museum's mission to safeguard cultural heritage. He stated, "I hope the significance of the exhibition, which museum researchers prepared with great care over a long period, will not be overshadowed." He also thanked the staff for their tireless efforts and urged the public to continue supporting the museum for future progress.