Famous Art Critic and Former Biennale Director Sentenced to Prison for 100 Million Won Fraud

Incheon District Court Sentences Art Critic to 10 Months in Prison
Fraud Committed by Promising Overseas Exhibition Opportunities

A well-known art critic and former international biennale artistic director has been sentenced to a prison term after deceiving an artist and embezzling over 100 million won by promising to facilitate overseas exhibition entries.

According to Yonhap News on May 29, Judge Gong Woojin of the Incheon District Court’s Criminal Division 14 delivered a verdict in a sentencing hearing, sentencing art critic A (56), who was indicted on charges of fraud, forgery of private documents, and use of forged documents, to 10 months in prison.

In July 2023, A was brought to trial on charges of defrauding artist B out of a total of 126 million won by demanding deposits and investment funds under the pretense of facilitating overseas exhibition entries. It was reported that A deceived B by claiming that B’s artworks would be exhibited in an overseas show co-curated by A, and solicited investment by falsely stating that profits were being generated through joint purchases and resale of artworks.

The prosecution’s investigation found that A neither had the authority nor the position to submit works to the exhibition, and that the records of art resales and exhibition contracts were fabricated. A is known as an art critic and exhibition planner who served as artistic director of the Gangwon International Biennale, held as a visual arts event during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, and also served as a director at a government-affiliated institution. At the sentencing hearing in February, the prosecution sought a prison term of one year and six months for A.

The court stated, “Based on the victim’s testimony and corroborating text messages, it is recognized that A lied to the victim,” and explained, “All of the prosecution’s charges have been found guilty.” The court further noted, “Although A returned 9 million won and deposited another 40 million won after the close of arguments, since the victim refused to accept these funds, this was considered only as an effort to make partial restitution.” The court did not order immediate detention.

The victim, who appeared in court that day, stated in response to Judge Gong’s question about whether to accept the 40 million won in escrow, “The damage I suffered is far too great, and 40 million won is nowhere near enough,” thus refusing to accept the amount.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.