Seoul’s main palace has been vandalized with graffiti
The Gyeongbokgung Palace, a national treasure in the heart of the South Korean capital that attracts millions of visitors every year, was vandalized twice with graffiti this weekend.
According to police, parts of the 14th-century palace were spray-painted red and blue on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Police said at least two people were panhandling on Saturday, and at least one person on Sunday. They have not yet identified the suspects.
Although graffiti is more common in alleys and tunnels in South Korea, heritage sites are a rare target in South Korea and enjoy special legal protection, with offenders facing heavy prison sentences and fines.
Authorities were first alerted to vandalism at the palace around 2 a.m. on Saturday. The words “free movie” in Korean and several website addresses are written with blue and red spray paint.
Two areas were targeted: the Yeongchu Gate entrance, the western gate of the palace and the side gate of the National Palace Museum. The total damage spread over 44 meters.
Government workers began cleaning up the graffiti the next day. Around 10:30 pm on Sunday, reports came in of a second spraying, this time in red and over a distance of three meters from the western gate. The words include the name of an artist and an album in English. The police do not want to say what these are.
Located in the heart of downtown and Seoul’s old capital district, Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea’s last dynastic era before the Korean Empire and the first Japanese annexation. A large part of the palace is being restored.
One of the five great palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty, the palace features clay statues of folkloric creatures, the king’s throne room, and expansive roofs made of baked clay tiles. It was used by Gucci this year to stage a fashion show.
Police said they believe each night’s suspects are different and that the second incident may have been a copycat.
At least 20 government workers are working to remove the graffiti, which officials say will take about a week. The damaged areas have been covered with a tarpaulin and the surrounding areas have been closed off with fences.
The palace is protected under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act and anyone accused of vandalizing it faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $39,000.