Byun Young-sup, administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration, was fired Friday over the shoddy restoration of Sungnyemun Gate and mismanagement of affairs at the Daejeon-based state organization. Byun was appointed to the post eight months ago.

The CHA had been conducting an internal audit as well as formulating reform plans with Byun vowing earlier this week to address irregularities within the organization.

The parliamentary audit in October pointed out problems with the restoration of Sungnyemun Gate, including the peeling of paint, and on Monday President Park Geun-hye ordered a thorough investigation into restoration of cultural assets and strict punishment of those found responsible.


By Julie Jackson
(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)