Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's most treasured national cultural heritage sites, has fallen victim to vandalism once again, marking another incident of defacement at the historic Joseon Dynasty landmark. The Korea Heritage Service apprehended a 79-year-old Seoul resident immediately after he used a black marker to scribble graffiti on the stone foundation of Gwanghwamun, the palace's main gate, during morning hours on Monday.
The elderly suspect managed to write "A message to the people and the world" on the first line and "President Trump" on the second line before being stopped by authorities. Officials reported that the man was caught in the act and subsequently turned over to police for further investigation. The motive behind his actions remains unclear, according to heritage service officials.
The Korea Heritage Service has announced plans to remove the graffiti on the same day as the incident occurred and has pledged to take firm action against any future acts of vandalism targeting the nation's cultural heritage sites. Under South Korean law, individuals who deface cultural heritage properties can be held financially responsible for restoration costs and may be ordered to personally oversee the repair of any damage they cause.
This latest incident follows a more serious vandalism case that occurred in late 2023, when the historic palace was targeted by spray-paint graffiti. In that previous incident, a teenager was recruited to deface the palace walls with spray paint after being promised payment of 3 million won, equivalent to approximately $2,160. The cleanup and restoration efforts for that vandalism incident cost an estimated 131 million won, highlighting the significant financial and cultural impact of such destructive acts.
Gyeongbok Palace, originally constructed during the early Joseon era between 1392 and 1910, represents centuries of Korean history and architectural heritage. The repeated targeting of this cultural landmark has raised concerns about the protection and preservation of South Korea's most important historical sites, prompting heritage officials to consider enhanced security measures for the future.
