Complete Break-In in One Day... 50-Year-Old Woman Arrested for Attempting to Damage Buddha Statue on Cheongwadae Grounds

On the afternoon of the 10th, the inauguration day of the 20th President Yoon Suk-yeol, citizens participating in the Cheong Wa Dae opening event in Jongno-gu, Seoul, are gathered around the Seokjo Yeorae Jwasang, a cultural heritage site within the Cheong Wa Dae grounds. Photo by the Transition Committee Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] An incident occurred where a Buddha statue on the grounds was damaged just one day after the Blue House was fully opened to the public.

According to the police on the 11th, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul arrested a woman in her 50s, identified as Ms. A, on charges of property damage.

At around 1:30 PM that day, Ms. A threw and broke a donation box and a ceramic bowl in front of the Minam Buddha statue located behind the Blue House residence. After causing the damage, she reportedly shouted, "I am the owner of the Blue House," and "I am the son of God." It is known that Ms. A damaged the items after seeing visitors bowing to the Buddha statue.

A police official stated, "Ms. A is a Christian who entered the premises through a visitor application," and added, "She admitted to the crime and will be investigated without detention."

The Blue House was fully opened to the public for the first time in 74 years the day before. People selected by lottery through prior application can enter every two hours from 7 AM to 7 PM, with up to 39,000 visitors allowed per day.