Accra:Seoul You Hong-june, the director of the National Museum of Korea, has offered his resignation amid a controversy involving the misattribution of a calligraphic work from his private collection. The artwork, initially introduced as a piece by a Korean independence activist, was actually created by a pro-Japanese collaborator during Japan's colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the museum has since removed the controversial item from its special exhibition. In a statement to the press, You expressed his decision to resign to help restore the museum's reputation, acknowledging that the public's trust in the institution had been damaged due to his personal error.

You, an esteemed art historian and author, faced mounting pressure to step down despite issuing multiple public apologies, including one during a parliamentary audit. Critics from the cultural sector and opposition politicians deemed his apologies insufficient for addressing the incident.

Before his tenure as the museum's director, You led the Cultural Heritage Administration, now known as the Korea Heritage Service, from 2004 to 2008. Reflecting on his 15-month directorship, You described it as a blessing and an honor to contribute to the preservation of Korea's cultural heritage. He expressed hope that the significance of the museum's "Our Dining Table" exhibition would remain unaffected by the controversy.

In his resignation statement, You urged the public to continue supporting the National Museum of Korea, acknowledging the dedication of its staff and their efforts in fostering the museum's growth.