Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young on Sunday appointed Park Hye-jin (54), a vocal music professor at Dankook University, as the new president and artistic director of the Korea National Opera, a foundation, and presented her with a letter of appointment. The new president's term is three years.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Park graduated from Yonsei University's vocal music department and completed a master's program at the Manhattan School of Music. She has served as a professor at Dankook University's College of Music and Arts since 2009. A vocalist with an active performance career both in Korea and abroad, Park has starred in leading roles in operas including "La Bohème," "Carmen" and "Turandot," and her artistic talent has been recognized with the Best Female Lead award at the 5th Korea Opera Awards.
She has also led the Seoul Metropolitan Opera from 2022 until recently, earning recognition as a figure with broad experience and expertise spanning both opera performance and education.
"I expect the new president will elevate the Korea National Opera's artistry and international standing, and contribute to popularizing opera and expanding its audience base, drawing on the diverse field experience and expertise she has built as a vocalist, educator and former head of the Seoul Metropolitan Opera," Minister Choi said.