Police seek arrest warrants for two Gyeongbok Palace wall vandalizers

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Published: 21 Dec. 2023, 11:47

LEE SOO-JUNG
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The vandalized parts of Yeongchumun, the western gate of Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, are covered up on Wednesday. [JOONGANG PHOTO]

The police said Thursday they are seeking arrest warrants for the 17-year-old, surnamed Lim, whom they allege vandalized the walls of Gyeongbok Palace and a man in his 20s accused of spray-painting the walls in a copycat crime.

The Seoul Jongno Police Precinct apprehended Lim and his 16-year-old girlfriend on Tuesday evening on suspicion of causing damage to property and cultural heritage.

Lim admitted to vandalizing the walls on Saturday at dawn, the police said.

Law enforcement believes Lim's girlfriend did not partake in vandalizing the walls, although she was with Lim at the time.

The police released her on Thursday.

The man in his 20s also admitted to vandalizing the walls on Sunday and turned himself in on Monday.

BY CHO MOON-KYU [[email protected]]