Actor Under Fire for Underlining Library Book...Is Damaging Public Library Materials a Crime?

Most public libraries require compensation in kind for damaged books
Extreme cases of habitual offenders have led to criminal punishment

Controversy has erupted online over actor Kim Jiho, who underlined passages in a book borrowed from a public library. Books from libraries are clearly public property, and if they are seriously damaged, criminal and civil penalties may be imposed.

The controversy began with a recent post Kim Jiho uploaded to her personal social networking service (SNS) account on Instagram. Kim wrote, "I kept putting off returning it and ended up finishing it," and posted a photo of a book bearing a public library label. The book was a short story collection titled "By Myself in the Distance" by writer Kim Hoon.

A reading photo posted by actor Kim Jiho on her personal social media (SNS). Instagram

The issue was that several passages in the book had been underlined. In response, online users criticized her, saying things like, "She arbitrarily underlined a public library book," "It was done in pen, not pencil, so it won't come off," and "This is inconsiderate behavior beyond common sense."

As the controversy grew, Kim Jiho posted an apology on the 23rd, saying, "I would like to apologize to anyone who was made uncomfortable by my careless behavior," and adding, "Although it was a book borrowed from a public library, I ended up falling back into my habit of underlining in my own books because I wanted to remember the last part." Regarding the book in which she had already drawn underlines, she added, "I will either buy a new copy and provide it to the library or pay the cost, and I will express my apologies and have it replaced."

Carelessly underlining a library book...could even constitute a 'crime'

As the controversy grew, Kim Jiho posted an apology on Instagram.

Does simply underlining a public library book amount to a crime? There is a possibility that it could fall under the offense of "damage to property" stipulated in Article 366 of the Criminal Act.

The law states that "a person who damages or conceals another’s property, documents, or other items, or otherwise impairs their utility, shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding 7 million won." The phrase "impairs their utility" covers not only physical destruction, but also any act that interferes with the item being used for its original purpose.

The usage regulations of most public libraries in Korea, including the National Library of Korea, stipulate that when a borrower damages materials, the basic principle is restoration to the original state or compensation in kind with a new copy.

However, in extreme cases involving habitual offenders, the matter can in fact lead to criminal punishment. In 2022, a user who repeatedly scribbled with a ballpoint pen in more than 50 books at a large library was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for one year.