State seal scandal
It’s a shame to taint the image of a national symbol
The state seal is one of Korea’s national symbols. It is usually used in important state documents related to constitutional amendments, diplomatic affairs, the appointment of ranking officials and citations. However, the seal has regrettably turned into a symbol of shame following an embezzlement and corruption scandal.
The government launched a project to make a new golden seal in 2007 as the old one produced by modern technology was showing some cracks. The Ministry of Public Administration and Security selected Min Hong-gyu as chief of a seal-producing team under contract to make a new seal using a traditional casting method.
But now, Min faces allegations that he violated the contract by using a modern technique. More problematic is that he made stamps out of leftover gold and gave them as gifts to then-governing party lawmakers and senior government officials under the Roh Moo-hyun administration. Min is also under attack for exploiting the project to expand his own business.
The scandal has recently come to the surface after one of the team’s artisans made allegations about Min’s wrongdoings. The ministry paid 190 million won ($160,000) to purchase 3 kilograms of gold for the seal. The artisan, identified as Lee, claimed that Min used 2 kilograms of gold to cast the seal. He also revealed that Min made 35 gold stamps by appropriating 800 to 900 grams of the unused precious metal.
According to Lee, Min offered 14 of the stamps to ministers, vice ministers, lawmakers and other influential figures. Another allegation has it that he even presented the stamps to then-President Roh and former Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak, the incumbent President. Most people don’t want to believe that Roh and Lee took the stamps. However, they are angry with some politicians and bureaucrats who have admitted they received them even without knowing that they were made of gold.
On Wednesday, police summoned Min for questioning. He has so far denied the allegations. But, he has failed to convince the public that he had done nothing wrong. He is a self-claimed master artisan who can replicate the royal seals of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). But he has kept his casting skills secret, raising suspicions that he is a sham.
Min is also suspected of using an electric kiln instead of a traditional one. He is also under fire for not meeting the requirement for the state seal’s metal composition. This indicated that he had not complied with the original plan specified by the contract. Was it possible for him to do such things under the oversight of government officials?
It could not have occurred without corrupt ties between Min and the bureaucrats. Thus, the authorities should conduct thorough investigations of the officials in charge of the project as well as those who accepted the stamps from Min. And it’s time for Min to tell the truth.