Roof Tiles Damaged at Jongmyo Shrine, a World Heritage Site... Police Investigating Violation of Cultural Heritage Protection Act

National Heritage Administration Conducts Emergency Repairs on the 15th
Suspected Vandalism by Intoxicated Individual

The roof tiles of the outer wall of Jongmyo Shrine, which were damaged on the 15th. Photo by National Heritage Administration

The outer wall of Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, was damaged, prompting a police investigation.

On September 16, the National Heritage Administration announced that around 12:54 a.m. on the 15th, it had confirmed damage to the roof tiles at three locations on the outer wall of Jongmyo Shrine, facing Seosunra-gil on the west side of the Oedaemun Gate in Jongno-gu, Seoul. A total of 10 tiles were damaged, including five convex tiles and five concave tiles.

CCTV footage obtained by the National Heritage Administration captured an individual, presumed to be intoxicated, shaking and pulling the roof tiles while moving from Seosunra-gil toward the Oedaemun Gate. At 5:30 a.m. on the same day, a night-shift worker discovered the damage during patrol and reported it to the police.

The Hyehwa Police Station in Seoul is tracking the suspect on charges of violating the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. A police official stated, "The exact circumstances of the incident are under investigation."

The direct repair team from the Royal Tombs and Palaces Division of the National Heritage Administration initiated emergency repairs that day and completed the restoration at approximately 3:15 p.m., about four hours later.

Jongmyo Shrine is a royal ancestral shrine where the spirit tablets of the kings and queens, emperors and empresses of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire are enshrined and memorial rites are performed. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, with the main hall (Jeongjeon) recognized as a National Treasure and Yeongnyeongjeon Hall designated as a Treasure.

On the 15th, repair work is underway on the roof tiles of the Jongmyo Shrine wall that was damaged. Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration

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