Climbing, Crossing Control Lines, and Making Victory Signs: More Nuisance Tourists Spark Controversy

Tourists visiting the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, have sparked a controversy on social media for engaging in outrageous behavior.

Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University posted on social media, saying, "A controversy has arisen due to nuisance behavior by some tourists, presumed to be Chinese," and added, "It has been repeatedly confirmed that people are climbing onto exhibited tanks to take pictures."

The photos posted by Professor Seo show a tourist ignoring a restricted access sign reading "Keep Out" and climbing onto a tank, as well as crossing control lines to take pictures directly in front of the exhibits.

Professor Seo pointed out, "Such improper viewing etiquette is deserving of criticism, especially at a place visited by many foreign tourists and one that honors the sacrifices of UN veterans."

This is not the first time that disorderly behavior by tourists has occurred at major domestic historic sites.

Last year, a group of Chinese tourists frequently sparked controversy by relieving themselves near the stone wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace and smoking in non-smoking areas within the historic site.

Local governments are struggling with tourist site management as the number of visitors has surged following the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to South Korean tourism statistics for the first half of this year compiled by the Korea Tourism Organization on the 23rd, the total cumulative number of foreign visitors to South Korea reached 10.71 million, representing a 21.3% increase compared to the same period last year.

This figure has recovered to 126.9% of the level recorded in the first half of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

By country, Chinese tourists accounted for the largest share at 3.21 million, followed by 1.95 million from Japan, 1.15 million from Taiwan, and 810,000 from the United States.

Professor Seo emphasized, "Setting good examples such as imposing fines and having guides consistently educate Chinese tourists are good ways to reduce nuisance behavior."

(Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Lee Yu-jin | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News | Source: Professor Seo Kyoung-duk's social media)

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