SOUTH KOREA’S burgeoning investigation into corruption in impeached President Park Geun Hye’s administration spread to the arts yesterday with claims that thousands of artists were blacklisted for political reasons.

Ambassador to France Mo Chul Min, who was education and culture secretary in 2013-14, was summoned by police for questioning about the blacklist, by which actors, theatre directors, painters and musicians were prevented from using state venues and denied financial support.

Former culture minister Yoo Jin Ryong alleges that Mr Mo passed the blacklist to his ministry, while Gwangju Mayor Yoon Jang Hyeon has reported government pressure not to display art satirising Ms Park.