New First Vice Culture Minister Yong Ho-seong responds to criticism surrounding appointment

Yong Ho-seong, the newly appointed first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, has expressed his commitment to meeting face-to-face with more artists and officials within the ministry.

First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yong Ho-seong speaks during a press conference held Tuesday in central Seoul. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

Yong Ho-seong, the newly appointed first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, has expressed his commitment to meeting face-to-face with more artists and officials within the ministry in response to the negative opinions surrounding his appointment.

“I've had a tumultuous career as a public servant, being investigated for nearly six years," Yong said. “Everyone has different opinions and views, so my priority is to meet with as many people as possible. Whether they agree with me or are critical, I aim to listen to various opinions and work together to develop practical solutions."

Yong has been a contentious figure in the culture and arts sector due to his alleged role in executing the blacklist during the Park Geun-hye administration. The so-called blacklist scandal that swept the country in 2016 came to light when former Culture Minister Yoo Jin-ryong revealed that former president Lee Myung-bak and then President Park Geun-hye maintained a list of artists who opposed their political stances and suppressed them in various ways.

At that time, Yong, who was working in the Office of the President for Culture and Sports, was alleged to be at the center of the scandal alongside current Culture Minister Yu In-chon, who served as culture minister during the Lee Myung-bak administration. Yong was investigated by the prosecution, the special investigation team and the Board of Audit and Inspection for nearly six years and was eventually cleared of the charges.

Yong also emphasized his intention to enhance the competence of division heads within the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism during his tenure.

"Other ministries face similar challenges, but in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, many tasks are highly dependent on the capabilities of division heads,” he said, adding that nearly 90 percent of government policies are determined at the division head level. "It’s important to educate and train the division heads to ensure the effective implementation of projects and policies."

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]