'Gyeongbokgung Graffiti' Depositor and Suspected Teacher Are Different Individuals... Police Focus on Tracking 'Team Leader Lee'

Hwang Ui-jo Suspected of Illegal Filming Asked to Reappear by the 5th

The police are focusing their investigative efforts on tracking down the so-called 'Team Leader Lee,' the instigator behind the incident where teenagers vandalized the walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul with spray paint graffiti.

A temporary barrier has been installed on the wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated at a press briefing on the 2nd, "The Intelligence Team of Jongno Police Station and the Cyber Investigation Unit of the Seoul Police Agency are jointly tracking the instigator."

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

The police identified and investigated the man who transferred money to Lim through forensic examination of his mobile phone, but they believe the depositor was also deceived by 'Team Leader Lee' and continue to pursue the instigator.

Separately, the police have sent 20-year-old male suspect Seol to the prosecution on charges of committing copycat crimes after Lim’s offense. Seol is accused of spray painting graffiti on the Gyeongbokgung Palace wall on the 17th as a second offense.

Regarding the apartment fire in Banghak-dong, Dobong-gu, which caused 32 casualties, the police plan to conduct investigations of related parties once the detailed forensic results are available. Earlier joint forensic examinations found cigarette butts and lighters in the third-floor residence where the fire broke out.

A police official said, "The residents are still receiving treatment," and added, "Once the forensic results come out, we plan to start investigations beginning with the residents."

As for soccer player Hwang Ui-jo (32, Norwich City), who is suspected of illegal filming, the police are rescheduling his summons. The police had previously requested his appearance by the 27th of last month, but Hwang’s side conveyed that attending was difficult due to team circumstances.

A police official explained, "We have issued a second summons requesting him to appear by the 5th."

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