Man in His 40s Referred to Prosecution for Damaging 'Statue of Peace' in Gwangju

The lower part of the 'Statue of Peace' installed in the square in front of Gwangju Bukgu Office has fallen off from the ground mount and is damaged. Provided by Gwangju Bukgu Office

A man in his 40s who damaged the 'Statue of Peace' honoring victims of Japanese military sexual slavery in Gwangju has been referred to the prosecution without detention.

The Gwangju Bukbu Police Station announced on the 19th that they have referred a man in his 40s, identified as Mr. A, without detention on charges of damaging public property for vandalizing the 'Statue of Peace' installed at the Buk-gu Office Plaza.

Mr. A is accused of repeatedly kicking and damaging the Statue of Peace in front of the Buk-gu Office Plaza at around 1:40 a.m. on October 30. It was found that Mr. A was intoxicated at the time of the crime and committed the act without any particular motive.

Meanwhile, Buk-gu District in Gwangju plans to spend 6 million won to repair and reinstall the damaged statue, and intends to file a civil lawsuit against Mr. A. The Buk-gu Statue of Peace was originally installed in August 2017.