Korean artist Yang Chul-mo apologizes, steps back from career following sexual harassment allegations

Artist Yang Chul-mo, co-founder of the duo mixrice, has announced he will withdraw from his artistic practice and leave the collective after facing accusations of sexual harassment. Two artists involved with Collective Chungjeongro, an artist-run space led by mixrice, reported inappropriate comments from Yang. The alleged remarks included explicit sexual propositions and references to one woman's appearance as resembling a 'rustic and pure North Korean woman.' Collective Chungjeongro has responded by temporarily halting all operations, expressing anger and deep regret over the situation in a social media statement. Yang acknowledged his behavior in a Facebook apology, stating he had made frivolous remarks despite warnings from those around him. The artist duo mixrice, which includes Yang's wife Cho Ji-eun, received the Korea Artist Prize in 2016 for work spanning photography, video, animation, wall painting, and sculpture, often created with migrant communities. Their international exhibition history includes participation in the Sharjah Biennial and residencies at Cairo's Townhouse Gallery and Birmingham's Eastside Projects.