'Johnny Yune heading KTO is a joke'
By Kim Jae-won
Johnny Yune
Johnny Yune, a comedian who hosted a TV talk show in the early 1990s, has recently drawn media attention not for his stand-up comedy, rather about him being the next likely head of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).
Some local dailies reported earlier this month that President Park Geun-hye would appoint the Korean-American actor and comedian the top KTO post later this month.
They speculated that the President might compensate Yune for his role in gathering support for Park from Korean Americans in Los Angeles in the run-up to the Dec. 19 presidential election. Koreans living abroad were given voting rights in the election.
The news caused a stir as people questioned whether the 77-year-old entertainer is qualified for the job.
Concerns arose that Yune might be the latest case of appointment disasters that has plagued the Park administration if the rumors of his appointment turn out to be true.
Cheong Wa Dae has however denied the rumor.
Kim Haeng, spokeswoman of the presidential office, denied the reports that Yune has been designated as head of the agency.
Another Cheong Wa Dae official said, “It’s a nonsense that he would become the KTO head.”
Yune has in the past said he has no interest in politics, and happy to remain as an entertainer.
“I am satisfied with cracking jokes in front of people. I promised to myself to keep working as an entertainer until I die.”
Yune played lead roles in the 1980s films “They Call Me Bruce?” and “They Still Call Me Bruce.” His biggest hit was “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
He performed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul along with Bob Hope and Brooke Shields. From 1989 to 1990, he hosted the “Johnny Yune Show,” the first Americanized TV talk show in Korea. That show was also a major hit, but only after a year, Yune decided to leave KBS due to the too many restrictions on media freedom.