Police Request Arrest Warrant for Man in His 50s for Damaging Jongmyo Shrine Wall

Hyehwa Police Station in Seoul Requests Arrest Warrant

Jongmyo Shrine Jeongjeon Hall panorama. Cultural Heritage Administration

A man in his 50s accused of damaging the roof tiles of the wall at Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is now facing possible detention.

On September 19, Hyehwa Police Station in Seoul announced that it had requested an arrest warrant for a man in his 50s, identified as A, on charges of violating the Cultural Heritage Protection Act.

A is suspected of damaging the outer wall of Jongmyo Shrine, specifically on the western side near Seosunra-gil, at around 12:55 a.m. on September 15. A total of 10 roof tiles were damaged, including five convex tiles and five concave tiles.

At approximately 5:30 a.m. the same day, a night shift worker at Jongmyo Shrine discovered the damage and reported it to the police. The police apprehended A after analyzing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and conducting an investigation.

The Cultural Heritage Administration, upon confirming the damage, carried out emergency repairs and completed the work at around 3:15 p.m. on September 15, about four hours after the incident was discovered.

Jongmyo Shrine is a royal ancestral shrine where memorial rites are held for the kings and queens, as well as emperors and empresses, of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. Jeongjeon Hall is classified as a National Treasure, while Yeongnyeongjeon Hall is designated as a Treasure.