Assaulting a Gyeongbokgung Guard, Urination… Why Can't They Be Punished?

With a recent surge in visitors to royal palaces and royal tombs, damage and vandalism have been occurring continuously in various places.

The Korea Heritage Service has stepped up to urge compliance with viewing regulations.

The Cultural Heritage Protection Act stipulates that damaging state-designated cultural heritage carries a prison sentence of three years or more, along with civil and criminal liabilities such as the cost of restoration.

However, as crowds exceeding capacity flock in, catching offenders has become difficult, and some cases of damage lack even penal regulations.

Damage caused by foreign tourists is a prime example.

Due to their large numbers and diverse nationalities, once they commit a crime and leave the country, there is no way to catch them.

Last February, controversy arose when Chinese nationals who assaulted a Gyeongbokgung guard asking them to follow viewing rules left the country without being stopped, and a foreign tourist who relieved themselves near the stone wall of Gyeongbokgung also left South Korea without any major restrictions other than being imposed a fine of 50,000 won.

Poking holes in traditional paper doors (changhoji), which has become a trend online, also lacks relevant punishment regulations.

Pointers are being raised that practical crackdowns and revisions to regulations regarding violation cases are necessary.

(Source: Money Today | Video Source: Professor Seo Kyoung-duk's Instagram)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.