J.Y. Park Says He Accepted Culture Exchange Committee Role ′For the Sake of K-pop′

J.Y. Park Says He Accepted Culture Exchange Committee Role 'For the Sake of K-pop': K-POP / 연합뉴스 / 2025-11-06 11:06:41

▲ J.Y. Park, co-chairman of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, delivers a presentation on the committee’s strategy and vision during its inauguration ceremony at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on Nov. 1, 2025. Pool photo of the presidential office news wire team. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Nov. 6 (Yonhap) -- JYP Entertainment founder and singer-producer J.Y. Park, whose real name is Park Jin-young, explained that he accepted the position of Chair of the Public Culture Exchange Committee “to do something for the K-pop industry that can’t be done at the company level.”

Appearing on MBC TV’s variety show “Radio Star” on Wednesday Park said he had initially declined the offer multiple times before agreeing to take on the post.

As a part-time (non-full-time) chair, he explained, “At first, they offered me a full-time position, but I refused for three months. Each time I declined for one reason or another, Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik came back having solved the issue. Eventually, I had no reason left to refuse. A full-time position comes with a salary, but I’m still an artist — I need to perform and appear on shows like ‘Radio Star.’ That wouldn’t have been possible.”

Park also addressed his political stance during the broadcast, drawing attention.

“Capitalism, if left unchecked, benefits the rich too much. That’s why policies from the progressive side are essential — to protect the working class,” he said. “But if the government protects them too much compared to other countries, capitalists will move their businesses elsewhere. To prevent that, conservative policies are also necessary.”

He continued, “You have to look at the times and what’s happening in other countries — balance is key. I have no desire to belong to any side. I’m not progressive or conservative — I’m Park Jin-young.”

Regarding the minister-level status that accompanies the chairmanship, Park added, “There are certain privileges with that rank, but I declined them.”