Mayor of Gwangju, Yoon- Jang-hyun, announced he will resign from his position as chairman of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation board of directors, a position which has traditionally been held by the mayor of the city, taking responsibility for the controversy over the painting submitted to Gwangju Biennale’s special project, ‘Sewol Owol’.

Following a previous statement made by the incumbent president of Gwangju Biennale, Lee Yong-woo, expressing his will to step down from the presidential post, Mayor Yoon’s resignation comes as part of the administration’s efforts to emphasis more freedom for artists and their works from now on.

At a press conference held on Friday 22 August, mayor Yoon explained that he and the city will provide financial and administrative aid but no censorship of artistic materials and will make the utmost effort to secure freedom of expression among artists.

Mayor Yoon also explained he will grant Gwangju Biennale Foundation the freedom to choose, produce, and display various artworks that can portray the city of Gwangju as a center of human rights, peace and democracy.

This press release was published on 25 August 2014 at the GFN Gwangju Foreign Language Network. 

See the original article: http://www.gfn.or.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=news_gfn&wr_id=649

Image: Mayor of Gwangju, Yoon- Jang-hyun. Courtesy: Gwangju Biennale Foundation.