Seoraksan 'Fallen Body Photo' Signboard Replaced Amid Growing Controversy

New Signboard Installed with Illustration Instead of Photo

When controversy arose over the use of a photo showing a bleeding body from a fall on a no-entry zone sign installed in Seoraksan National Park, the Seoraksan National Park Office removed the sign and replaced it with a new one on the 18th.

Seoraksan National Park's newly installed information board
[Photo by Seoraksan National Park Office]

Earlier, in May, the Seoraksan National Park Office installed a sign on a mountain trail near Towangseong Waterfall in Seoraksan, indicating that the area is a no-entry zone, using two photos that appeared to show scenes of fatal fall accidents.

The top of the sign read, "Wait! Are you sure you want to go?" Below that, it stated, "This area is currently a no-entry zone. It is a very dangerous area where safety accidents occur continuously every year." Under this sentence, two photos were posted. The individuals in the photos, presumed to be hikers, were shown collapsed on the dirt ground and on a large rock, with limbs bent unnaturally and bloodstains clearly visible around them. These photos were not mosaicked or blurred in any way. At the bottom of the photos, the sentence read, "Hiking at the risk of your life brings misfortune to your family. Please use the designated trails."

Netizens reacted to the sign with comments such as "The photos are too graphic," "If the deceased’s photos were used without prior permission from the bereaved family, that is problematic," and "To prevent people from entering dangerous places like cigarette warning labels, photos of this level of severity are necessary."

In particular, since the area in question is not accessible to general hikers but only to rock climbers who have obtained prior permission from the national park, many believe that those who saw the controversial sign were likely already trespassing hikers, making the use of such strong photos somewhat understandable.

The Seoraksan National Park Office told JoongAng Ilbo, "During illegal hiking patrols, we have encountered hikers who gave up hiking after seeing the disturbing sign." They added, "However, we regret the controversy caused by the sign. The sign has now been removed and replaced with a new one."

The new sign states, "This is a dangerous area accessible only to authorized rock and ice climbers. Violations of the no-entry rule will result in fines under the Natural Parks Act," and features illustrations instead of photos.