[비즈한국] It has been confirmed that Jeon Jae-kook, the eldest son of the late Chun Doo-hwan, applied for the trademark of the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival in his personal capacity last October. The trademark filed by Jeon is identical in design to the one previously used by the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival. The application is currently under review, and if the registration process is finalized, Jeon will be able to exercise trademark rights. The Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival is hosted by Yeoncheon County and the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival Organizing Committee.
An official from Yeoncheon County stated, "Because the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival Organizing Committee is not a legal entity, the trademark was applied for in the individual name of Jeon Jae-kook." Under current law, only individuals or legal entities can apply for trademarks. Since the Organizing Committee is neither an individual nor a legal entity, the trademark was reportedly applied for under Jeon’s name.
Jeon Jae-kook is not unrelated to the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival. Music Segye (now Bookers), a company owned by Jeon, has participated as the organizer of the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival for a long time. The host is the entity responsible for planning and holding the event, while the organizer is the working-level entity that manages and operates it. Typically, the host sets the budget and direction, while the organizer handles the on-site execution.
Nevertheless, the fact that Jeon Jae-kook is the entity filing for the trademark could spark controversy. Jeon is neither the chairman of the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival Organizing Committee nor the CEO of Music Segye. While Jeon owns Music Segye, the company is an organizer, not the host. Moreover, it did not even participate as an organizer in this year’s Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival.
Once the trademark registration process is complete, Jeon Jae-kook will be able to exercise trademark rights and collect related profits whenever the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival is held in the future. The Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival is an event that receives subsidies from Gyeonggi-do and Yeoncheon County. Biz Hankook requested comments from the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival Organizing Committee, but did not receive a response.
Looking at past Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festivals, Music Segye was listed as the organizer until 2019. It was absent in 2023–2024 but returned as an organizer in 2025. However, it was not listed for the 13th Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival, held this past July and August.
However, it appears that Music Segye was indirectly involved in this year’s event. This is because a person surnamed Jeong, the CEO of Music Segye, served as an operating committee member. Until a few years ago, the Organizing Committee’s office was also located in the Music Segye headquarters building.
Jeon Jae-kook’s relationship with the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival has been highlighted in the past as well. During a parliamentary audit in October 2013, former Unified Progressive Party lawmaker Lee Sang-kyu pointed out, "A company called 'Music Segye,' where Jeon Jae-kook serves as the representative, plans the entire event (Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival), and most of the events are held at Herb Village, which is also owned by Jeon Jae-kook." In response, then-Gyeonggi Governor Kim Moon-soo explained, "I have no knowledge of whether Jeon Jae-kook is the representative or any such details. Since 98% of Yeoncheon County is a military facility protection zone, we provide support whenever possible if requested by the county governor." Currently, the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival is held at the Yeoncheon Sureul Art Hall and Baekhak Jayuro Resort.
The Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival is a music festival held annually by Yeoncheon County since 2011. It is known that the practical operation of the event is handled by the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival Organizing Committee, while Yeoncheon County provides subsidies. Excluding the 2020–2022 period during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been held every year up to this year.