She was assisted by , the councilor in charge of the President's relations with Parliament. Catherine Pégard subsequently was responsible for cultural matters at the Elysee. Pégard was appointed to the presidency of the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles by the Cabinet of France on 31 August 2011, and took office on 2 October, succeeding Jean-Jacques Aillagon, who went on pension. The appointment of Pégard was denounced publicly by some heritage professionals, regretting that she lacked experience in the management of cultural administration. In 2013, Pégard endorsed an exhibition with photographs by Ahae, the South Korean businessman Yoo Byung-eun, praising his artistic qualities. Pégard disclosed that the exhibition was on a sponsorship basis, saying "The artist himself wanted to rent the Orangerie. But we never communicate the numbers." French "Le Monde" and British "The Times" wrote that Ahae gave million (~ million) to Versailles. Ahae is the sole patron of the Bosquet du Théâtre d'Eau (Water Theatre Grove) () currently being recreated in the area of the Palace of Versailles, donating million (~ million). Following the sinking of the ferry "Sewol" in April 2014, Pégard's decision to rent out the Orangerie Hall of the Palace of Versailles in 2013 to Yoo Byung-eun, prompted French media as well as Korean expatriates in France to raise their concerns over French cultural institutions accepting self-financed exhibitions in return for donations. Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (8 April 2012)