American busted for tagging Itaewon with graffiti about teeth-grinding disorder

Social Affairs

Published: 27 Nov. 2023, 15:28

American busted for tagging Itaewon with graffiti about teeth-grinding disorder

Graffiti saying igari [SEOUL YONGSAN POLICE STATION]

An American man in his 30s who drew hundreds of graffiti in the Itaewon neighborhood in Yongsan District, Central Seoul, has been captured, police said on Monday.

He painted graffiti saying igari or “Bruxism” at more than 150 sites, including overpasses, trash bins, roads, telephone poles and house gates.

Igari is the Korean word for bruxism, or teeth-grinding.

The Yongsan Police booked him for destroying or damaging property.

“After receiving a report on Saturday, we tracked him down and imposed a travel ban. We also requested a detention warrant,” the police said.

However, Seoul Western District Court rejected the detention request. The police are investigating him without putting him in detention.

Graffiti saying bruxism [SCREEN CAPTURE]

According to a report by national broadcaster KBS, the vandal admitted he painted the graffiti to raise awareness of bruxism and how the disorder can develop into a severe illness.

He added that he usually wears mouthguards because of his severe teeth-grinding.

The man arrived in Korea in October and used spray prints and graffiti paint pens.

He also committed another vandalism with the same pattern last October during a previous visit to Korea. He shared videos and images of his graffiti on his social media.

BY HAN YOUNG-HYE, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]