Task force launched to clean up corrupted projects
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The culture ministry is struggling with accusations it was under the direct control of President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil and Cha Eun-taek, a visual arts director.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched a task force Tuesday to investigate and review projects with suspected ties to Choi and Cha. The team is led by First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jung Kwan-joo.
Cha is suspected of intervening in about 20 government projects.
The Culture Creation Convergence Belt, which includes a creative convergence center, a creative venture center, an academy and a cluster of cultural performance facilities, is one of the culture ministry's major projects at a cost of about 90.3 billion won ($80 million) this year.
The project was supervised by Song Sung-gak, president of the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), who is suspected of being close to Cha. Song submitted his resignation earlier this week.
The culture ministry said it will continue operating the belt, as cultural enrichment is in line with government policy.
However, the opposition parties requested a reduction of the budget, which was set to jump to 127.8 billion won for next year, over Cha's involvement.
The new national brand, Creative Korea, which inspired a plagiarism controversy, is also suspected of Choi and Cha's influence.
Cha's personal connections in the culture ministry have stepped down, but they might be liable for what they've done. Former Culture Minister Kim Jong-deok taught Cha in graduate school and Second Vice Culture Minister Kim Chong, who handed in his resignation Sunday, is suspected of lobbying for positions for his associates.
By Kwon Mee-yoo
The culture ministry is struggling with accusations it was under the direct control of President Park Geun-hye's confidant Choi Soon-sil and Cha Eun-taek, a visual arts director.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched a task force Tuesday to investigate and review projects with suspected ties to Choi and Cha. The team is led by First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jung Kwan-joo.
Cha is suspected of intervening in about 20 government projects.
The Culture Creation Convergence Belt, which includes a creative convergence center, a creative venture center, an academy and a cluster of cultural performance facilities, is one of the culture ministry's major projects at a cost of about 90.3 billion won ($80 million) this year.
The project was supervised by Song Sung-gak, president of the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), who is suspected of being close to Cha. Song submitted his resignation earlier this week.
The culture ministry said it will continue operating the belt, as cultural enrichment is in line with government policy.
However, the opposition parties requested a reduction of the budget, which was set to jump to 127.8 billion won for next year, over Cha's involvement.
The new national brand, Creative Korea, which inspired a plagiarism controversy, is also suspected of Choi and Cha's influence.
Cha's personal connections in the culture ministry have stepped down, but they might be liable for what they've done. Former Culture Minister Kim Jong-deok taught Cha in graduate school and Second Vice Culture Minister Kim Chong, who handed in his resignation Sunday, is suspected of lobbying for positions for his associates.
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