SEOUL - Gyeongbokgung Palace, a national treasure in the heart of South Korea’s capital of Seoul that draws millions of visitors each year, was vandalised with graffiti twice at the weekend.
Parts of the 14th-century palace were spray-painted in red and blue on the nights of Dec 16 and 17, according to police.
Police said that at least two people acted on Dec 16, and at least one person did on Dec 17. They have yet to identify the suspects from Dec 16. One person turned himself or herself in to the police on the morning of Dec 18. Police have not determined a motive.
While graffiti is more common in alleyways and tunnels in South Korea, heritage sites are a rare target in the country. They have special protections under the law, with violators facing stiff prison sentences and fines.
The palace is one of five grand palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty and boasts clay folklore statues, the king’s throne hall, and expansive roofs made from fired clay tiles in red, blue and green.
It is nestled at the foot of a major mountain, Bugaksan, among the modern office buildings of central Seoul. Earlier in 2023, it was used by Gucci to host a fashion show.
The authorities were first alerted to the vandalism at the palace at about 2am on Dec 16. The words “free movie” in Korean and several website addresses were written in blue and red spray paint.
Two areas were targeted: the entrance to Yeongchu Gate, the palace’s western gate, and the side gate of the National Palace Museum. The total damage spread across 44m.
Government workers began cleaning off the graffiti the next day.
Reports of a second spray-painting came in to police at about 10.30pm on Dec 17. This time, the graffiti was in red and spanned 3m of the western gate. The words included the name of an artist and album in English. Police declined to say what those were.
Gyeongbokgung Palace, located in the heart of downtown and Seoul’s old capital district, was built in 1395 as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, the last dynastic era of Korea before the Korean empire and the first Japanese annexation. A large part of the palace is being restored.
Police said they believe the suspects on each night are different, and that the second incident might have been a copycat.
At least 20 government workers are removing the graffiti, which officials say will take about a week.
The damaged areas are covered with a tarpaulin and the surrounding areas are closed off by fences.
The palace is protected under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, and anyone charged with vandalising it could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to US$39,000 (S$52,000). NYTIMES
