J.Y. Park: “2 million won every month? I didn't know I was receiving it”

“He said he works without pay, but he received 2 million won every month?”

J.Y. Park, who is serving as the co-chairman of the Popular Culture Exchange Committee, has directly addressed the 'unpaid controversy' surrounding him. Regarding the point that he receives approximately 2 million won every month in business promotion expenses, J.Y. Park drew attention by stating, “It is a very apologetic story, but I didn't know I was receiving it.” As he had originally stated that he works without pay, attention is focused on whether this remark will spark further controversy.

On the 6th, J.Y. Park appeared on SBS radio 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' to express his position regarding the recently controversial business promotion expenses and the trademark issue of the government-supported global festival 'FANOMENON'. In particular, he also stepped forward to explain why JYP Entertainment filed for the overseas trademark of FANOMENON alone.

According to J.Y. Park, registering the trademark for FANOMENON incurs significant costs. He explained that it requires about 40 million won for domestic registration alone, and for overseas cases, it could cost at least 600 to 700 million won. He emphasized, “We announced it, but if someone else registers it, we won't be able to use it, so JYP registered it first,” adding, “This project is a gathering of four companies: JYP Entertainment, SM, YG, and HYBE.”

J.Y. Park explained that this does not mean JYP Entertainment will continue to hold the trademark. He stated, “If I hold it, who would cooperate?” and revealed that he will transfer the trademark once a person in charge is determined. As it is a project promoted by the public-private sector and major domestic agencies, he argued that it is not a measure for the profit of an individual or a specific company, but an inevitable first registration during the business process.

What drew even hotter interest was, indeed, the business promotion expenses. J.Y. Park had previously stated in the sense that he does not receive remuneration while working as chairman, but as the fact that he receives approximately 2 million won in business promotion expenses every month became known, points were raised regarding whether the expression 'unpaid' was appropriate. In response, J.Y. Park explained, “I didn't know I was receiving it,” and said that after he became aware of the existence of said expenses, he could have returned them.

He said, “When I found out, I could have said, 'Since I said I am working without pay, I won't take it,' and returned it.” However, he revealed there was a separate reason why he ultimately decided to receive the business promotion expenses. It was a judgment that if only he does not receive the business promotion expenses, it could actually become a burden to the person who takes over the chairman position in the future.

J.Y. Park offered an explanation to the effect that if he does not receive the business promotion expenses, the next person might ask, “J.Y. Park didn't receive it, so why are you receiving it?” He suggested that for public-private cooperative organizations to operate in the long term, they must move away from a method that relies on the goodwill of individuals. He considered the sustainability of the system rather than his immediate image.

He also pointed out that while actually conducting business, the system itself for the public and private sectors to work together is not yet sufficiently established. Given the global trend, public-private cooperation is bound to expand further in the future, so J.Y. Park argues that instead of a method where a specific individual makes sacrifices without pay, a structure must be created where anyone can participate continuously.

J.Y. Park was appointed as co-chairman along with Choi Hwi-young, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, upon the launch of the Popular Culture Exchange Committee under the direct control of the President last October. As controversies surrounding the trademark and business promotion expenses have arisen simultaneously, J.Y. Park is also scheduled to attend the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's parliamentary audit on the 7th. Eyes are focused on what additional explanations he will provide regarding the questions raised so far, from the expression 'unpaid' to the trademark application.

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