ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Hwang Hyun-san resigns early as Art Council Korea chairman due to health issues

institutional · 2026-04-20

Hwang Hyun-san, the chairman of Art Council Korea (ARKO), has decided to retire early, ending his three-year term that commenced in November 2017. His resignation is due to health issues, as he is currently receiving treatment for liver cancer and has a history of pancreatic cancer surgery. As South Korea’s largest state-funded arts organization, ARKO is now awaiting the results of Hwang's treatment before officially concluding his tenure. Notably, Hwang was one of nearly 10,000 cultural figures blacklisted by the previous culture minister. He took over ARKO following the resignation of former chairman Park Myung-jin, who was involved in artist exclusions. This news was reported by ArtAsiaPacific on 23 February 2018.

Key facts

  • Hwang Hyun-san is stepping down as chairman of Art Council Korea (ARKO)
  • His early retirement is due to health reasons
  • Hwang began his chairmanship in November 2017
  • He is undergoing treatment for liver cancer
  • Hwang previously underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer
  • He was one of nearly 10,000 cultural figures blacklisted by South Korea's former culture minister
  • ARKO is South Korea's largest state-funded arts organization
  • Hwang succeeded former chairman Park Myung-jin, who resigned for involvement in excluding artists

Entities

Artists

  • Hwang Hyun-san
  • Park Myung-jin

Institutions

  • Art Council Korea (ARKO)
  • ArtAsiaPacific

Locations

  • South Korea

Sources