J.Y. Park says he never knew he was being paid. The JYP Entertainment founder has addressed the controversy over the roughly $1,400 a month he has received as co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, explaining why he hasn’t returned it.
According to K-POPIT’s report, Park discussed the matter on the October 6 episode of the SBS radio program “Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show,” describing the strict procedures of working with taxpayer money.
Committee materials submitted to People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee show payments began in November 2025 and now total more than $14,000 (20 million won). Park also received an official expense card, overseas travel allowances and staff support.
“I would rather return it,” Park said. “If receiving 2 million won leads people to question my sincerity and affects my motivation to work, I think it would be better not to take it.” He said it could burden his successor: “If I don’t take it, the next person will hear, ‘J.Y. Park didn’t take it, so why are you?’ That could make it harder for the next person to do the job.”
Park had previously said he was serving on the committee without pay. Asked about the difference, he said he had not been aware the money was being paid to him.
The singer is scheduled to appear as a witness at the National Assembly’s annual audit. No further official statement was reported.
