Hwang Hyun-san, chairman of Art Council Korea (ARKO), has announced his early retirement from his position, ArtAsiaPacific reports. Hwang, who began his chairmanship in November 2017, has cut short his three-year term in the role due to health reasons. The council reported that Hwang, who had previously undergone surgery for pancreatic cancer, is currently undergoing treatment for liver cancer. Hwang, who was one of the nearly 10,000 cultural figures blacklisted by South Korea’s former culture minister, joined ARKO (the largest state-funded arts organisation) after former chairman Park Myung-jin resigned from the position for her involvement in excluding artists. The council are awaiting results of Hwang’s treatment before finalising the conclusion of his posting.
23 February 2018