J.Y. Park to Face National Assembly Audit—Directly Addressing 'Phenomenon' Trademark Controversy and Business Expense Issues

J.Y. Park will eventually stand before the National Assembly audit room. After becoming the co-chair of the Popular Culture Exchange Committee, which is directly under the President, controversies arose regarding the trademark application for 'Phenomenon' and the receipt of business execution expenses. In response, he has stepped forward to explain personally as a witness rather than a reference person. As J.Y. Park chooses to prove his sincerity at the National Assembly, President Lee Jae Myung has even released a public stance, creating an atmosphere where the controversy is spreading beyond the entertainment industry into political and cultural circles.

J.Y. Park is scheduled to appear as a witness at the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit on the 7th. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee selected co-chair J.Y. Park as a general witness for the audit last month. Although there were initial discussions between the ruling and opposition parties regarding his attendance, he was ultimately included in the witness list, and J.Y. Park has also expressed his intention to go to the National Assembly himself to answer the allegations.

One of the core issues of this controversy is the trademark problem of 'Phenomenon', the global K-pop festival promoted by the Popular Culture Exchange Committee. As JYP Entertainment filed for overseas trademarks first, questions were raised by some as to whether the trademark for a project in which J.Y. Park participates as co-chair is being monopolized by the company he leads. In particular, the controversy grew as the interests of a national-level cultural project promoted for public interest intersected with a private entertainment company.

J.Y. Park's explanation was different. Appearing on SBS radio on the 6th, he stated that JYP is not attempting to hold the trademarks permanently, but rather filed them first to quickly secure the necessary rights during the project's promotion process. He countered by saying that once the dedicated organization is formed, there are plans to transfer the trademarks, and questioned whether other agencies would cooperate if JYP held them. In fact, the Popular Culture Exchange Committee has also explained that they plan to transfer the domestic trademarks filed first by JYP to a future dedicated corporation, and overseas trademarks will be transferred in the same manner.

J.Y. Park also explained the costs and procedures involved in the trademark application as the background of the issue. According to his explanation, overseas trademarking incurs significant costs, and if the event brand is not secured first, there is a possibility that other entities might preempt the trademark. Currently, 'Phenomenon' is being promoted as a large-scale K-pop project involving major domestic agencies such as JYP Entertainment, SM, YG, and HYBE, and ways to create a business structure through cooperation between the government and the private sector are being discussed. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also explained that the structure involves the government and the private sector jointly holding the trademarks and later transferring the relevant rights to a dedicated corporation.

Another point of contention is the criticism that while J.Y. Park has stated he has been acting "without pay," he has been receiving approximately 2 million won per month in position execution expenses. Regarding this, J.Y. Park explained, "I did not know I was receiving it." Rather, as he has stated he is acting without pay, he also hinted that if doubts about his sincerity increase, he would like to return the expenses. However, he also expressed realistic concerns that if only he does not receive the expenses, it could create equity issues for future people holding the same position.

In relation to this, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young expressed a stance suggesting that it is not realistically appropriate to ask him not to receive even the minimum expenses necessary to perform his duties. J.Y. Park is also emphasizing that his activities are not for the profit of a specific company, but a public interest project for the overseas expansion of Korean popular culture, including K-pop. However, as the interests of private companies and individuals are linked to a project claiming public interest, it is expected that the ownership and transfer structure of the trademarks and the process of expense execution will be specifically verified during the National Assembly audit.

President Lee Jae Myung also released a public stance ahead of J.Y. Park's appearance at the audit. President Lee stated that J.Y. Park is working for the cultural export of the Republic of Korea by making time and spending his own money without remuneration, saying, "It is deeply regrettable and I am sorry that we are unable to provide him with proper treatment." He then expressed gratitude on behalf of the people and requested that he continue his activities for the overseas expansion of popular culture.

Ultimately, this National Assembly audit is expected to be a venue to confirm how large-scale K-pop projects promoted through public-private cooperation should be operated, moving beyond allegations against J.Y. Park personally. By choosing to appear as a witness himself, J.Y. Park opted to explain directly at the National Assembly rather than avoiding the controversy. Attention is focused on how the actual ownership structure of the 'Phenomenon' trademark, the nature of the business execution expense payments, and the interests between public interest projects and private companies will be organized through explanations at the audit floor.

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