The Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation (Chairman Moo Han Bae) concluded its historic 50th anniversary year amidst a serious internal feud.
On December 20, the foundation’s board meeting, held behind closed doors and over objections from some board members, publicly devolved into a severe clash between new and existing members, necessitating police intervention.
Open to the Press vs. Private Setting
Disagreement over press access ignited tensions from the meeting’s onset. A verbal dispute escalated into a physical confrontation when Ben Park attempted to prevent Yoon Sook Park from allowing reporters’ entry. Following an alleged assault by Yoon Sook Park, Ben Park called the police.
The altercation intensified with Ben Park urging non-English speaking board members to communicate in English and demanding resignations from Yoon Sook Park, Jun-bae Kim and Il-soon Choi.
Director Yoon Sook Park expressed his dismay, remarking, “This is the most disrespectful thing I’ve ever seen,” and lamenting the organization’s regression despite its 50-year legacy.
Contentious Audit of Festival Finances
Of the five agenda items, none were discussed, particularly the contentious ‘Audit of the 2023 Festival Financial Statements.’ Facing accusations of financial mismanagement, Chairman Bae proposed postponing the external audit until after a new chairman is elected. In contrast, other directors insisted on conducting the audit during Bae’s current term. This disagreement escalated into a physical scuffle initiated by Director Yoon Sook Park.
Chairman Bae defended his financial integrity, saying, “I paid for the hotel, flights, and everything else for the festival out of my own pocket,” thereby questioning the basis for the complaints filed against him with the state prosecutors’ office. However, Director Il-soon Choi pointed out incomplete audits, with Director Yoon Sook Park emphasizing the importance of finalizing the financial statements before the election of a new chairman.
Allegations of Misuse of Funds and Fraudulent Appointments
Earlier this year, revelations emerged about Bae and two directors’ involvement in unethical director recruitment and the misuse of Foundation funds without board approval. Late last year, the controversial appointment of three new board members (Alex Cha, Ben Park, Brandon Lee) met opposition from Yoon Sook Park and Il-soon Choi. Despite needing a majority vote, Bae and Kim favored the appointments, allegedly offering Choi a $10,000 refund of his board fees.
A covert meeting at the Oxford Hotel led to Kim issuing a $10,000 check to Choi on Bae’s behalf. Subsequently, on January 26, 2023, Bae issued a $10,000 check from the Foundation to Jun-bae Kim without authorization.
Director Jun-bae Kim, disclosing these events, said, “I regret speaking out, but felt compelled to reveal the truth when Chairman Bae accused Director Choi of taking $10,000 from the Foundation.” He further alleged that the new directors were fraudulently recruited, without their knowledge.
BY SUAH JANG, JUNHAN PARK [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
