Andong Hahoe Village Suffers from 'Graffiti Vandalism'
Most Graffiti in Hangul...Domestic Tourists Suspected
Netizens Say "Ashamed to Be Fellow Koreans"
Korean graffiti left by domestic tourists found throughout Andong Hahoe Village. [Photo source=Instagram capture by Professor Seokyung Deok, Sungshin Women's University]
Andong Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and a national folk cultural heritage, is suffering from 'graffiti vandalism' by domestic tourists.
On the 14th, Professor Seokyung Deok of Sungshin Women's University stated on his SNS (social networking service), "Since last summer, reports related to graffiti vandalism in Hahoe Village have been steadily coming in," adding, "I recently visited Hahoe Village and personally confirmed that many graffiti marks were found everywhere." The released photos show that most of the graffiti in Hahoe Village are written in Hangul, indicating they were left by domestic tourists. Occasionally, graffiti in foreign languages was also found.
Professor Seo emphasized, "At the end of last year, there was an incident of 'graffiti vandalism' on the walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace that shocked the entire nation," and added, "While management by government agencies and local governments is important, improving civic consciousness is paramount." He also argued, "It is necessary to strengthen education related to cultural heritage from elementary school and impose strict punishments for cultural heritage damage."
He continued, "With the global spread of K-content, many foreign tourists are flocking to experience Korean culture and history. Such graffiti will damage the country's image," and wrote, "To showcase our excellent cultural heritage, we must cherish and preserve it ourselves."
Netizens who learned of this fact expressed strong reactions such as, "I'm so ashamed to be Korean," "They should bear the full cost of restoration," "It's because the law is weak," "Even if they lack awareness, there should be limits," "I sigh every time I see Korean graffiti vandalism," "Schools should focus more on graffiti education," and "Did kids do this? Even if they did, how could they do that to cultural heritage?"
Andong Hahoe Village is a clan village where the Pungsan Ryu (柳) family has lived for generations and is also the birthplace of Seonbae Ryu Seong-ryong. Recognized for the beauty of its traditional houses, including residential buildings, seowon (Confucian academies), government offices, and pavilions, it was registered as a World Heritage site under the name "Historic Villages of Korea" at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee General Assembly in 2010.
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