World-renowned sculptor Yoo Keunsang takes part in the establishment
of the National North Korean Human Rights Center
The Unification Ministry appoints a special advisor for the
establishment of the National North Korean Human Rights Center
(January 12)
Minister Kim will appoint Keunsang Yoo, a world-renowned sculptor
and President of the Institute for Art and Restoration, as a special
advisor for the establishment of the National North Korean Human
Rights Center. After the meeting with the Minister, President Yoo will
have a brief standing interview in front of the Minister’s office.
On January 12, the Ministry of Unification appointed Yoo Keunsang*,
President of the Central Institute for Restoration in Italy, as a
special advisor for the establishment of the National North Korean
Human Rights Center.
As a special advisor in the arts, President Yoo will contribute to
creating a center that secures artistic and cultural values, including
architectural design and sculpture.
* Yoo Keunsang serves as President of the Institute for Art and
Restoration (ICR) in Italy and is the third sponsored artist of the
Medici Family.
Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho stated, “With the assistance of the
president, we plan to make efforts for the National North Korean Human
Rights Center to develop artistic and symbolic values.”
“The center, in addition to addressing the North Korean human rights
issue, plans to engage in mutual exchange exhibitions with other
museums in the human rights field, such as the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum and the Victims of Communism Museum, to address the
issue from the perspective of universal values of humanity,” the
minister added.
In response, President Yoo said, “As a direct descendant of
independence activist Yu Gwan-sun, I believe it is the duty of an
artist who loves his country to console the suffering of our North
Korean compatriots and the division of the Korean Peninsula through
the power of art.”
“In order for the National North Korean Human Rights Center to
achieve global significance and reputation, I and the Central
Institute for Restoration will contribute to the development of the
center by providing a direction to deeply contemplate the challenges
and human rights in North Korea,” he added.
