Police Track Suspect in 'Gyeongbokgung Graffiti' Case... Enhanced Patrols for Cultural Heritage Sites

Rescheduling the Summons and Investigation Schedule of Hwang Ui-jo on Illegal Filming Allegations

The police are focusing their investigative efforts on tracking the instigators involved in the incident where teenagers vandalized the walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul with spray paint graffiti.

The warrant hearings for Im Mo, a teenager who vandalized the Gyeongbokgung Palace wall with spray paint (left), and Seol Mo, a person in their twenties who committed a second act of graffiti, were held on the 22nd at the Seoul Central District Court. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated at a press briefing held in writing on the 26th, "To track down the person who commissioned the graffiti, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Cyber Investigation Unit has been deployed, conducting investigations including mobile phone forensics and verifying depositors."

Earlier, Lim Mo (17), the first graffiti offender at Gyeongbokgung, reportedly testified during police questioning that "I agreed to receive several million won for three graffiti acts on SNS and received 100,000 won as an advance payment."

The police are also implementing measures to prevent copycat crimes. Commissioner Yoon said, "Upon receiving 112 emergency calls, we instructed to promptly mobilize as many nearby available officers as possible and to disseminate the situation to the Cultural Heritage Administration and local governments," adding, "We emphasized proactive preventive activities to prevent similar incidents and suppress the atmosphere of copycat crimes."

In particular, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has designated the areas around the five palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Gyeonghuigung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Changdeokgung) as focused key locations until the end of this month to strengthen patrols. Patrol cars are deployed during the day, and additional detectives and police mobile units are assigned at night, concentrating personnel for patrol duties.

Regarding soccer player Hwang Ui-jo (31, Norwich City), who is suspected of illegal filming, the police are rescheduling his summons for investigation. Commissioner Yoon explained, "We issued a summons with a deadline of the 27th of this month, but Hwang Ui-jo's side informed us of difficulties in attending due to various reasons including club circumstances, so we are readjusting the investigation schedule."

Concerning the fire that occurred on Christmas Day, the 25th, at an apartment in Dobong-gu, Seoul, which resulted in 32 casualties, three teams including the police station’s violent crimes unit have been deployed for investigation. Commissioner Yoon said, "We offer our condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the deceased," adding, "We plan to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause and circumstances of the fire, including autopsies of the deceased and joint forensic examinations."

Meanwhile, regarding criticism that the investigation into singer G-Dragon (35, real name Kwon Ji-yong) on drug charges was excessive after the case was dismissed without indictment, Commissioner Yoon responded, "We conducted necessary investigations such as questioning related parties and forensic analysis by the National Forensic Service based on specific reports and following proper procedures," and stated, "I find it difficult to agree with the view that the investigation was excessive simply because the case was closed without indictment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.