“I Thought Surely They Wouldn’t, but Grown Adults Did This”... Wedding Shoot Atop Tomb Sparks Controversy

Couple-to-be takes wedding photos at Majeon Tumuli in Jeonju
They entered despite a fence restricting access

Controversy erupted after wedding photos were taken at a site recreating a Baekje-era tomb.

A couple-to-be and their photographer were seen taking wedding photos atop a burial mound, a cultural heritage site dating to the Baekje period, sparking controversy. Screenshot from Instagram.

According to JTBC's "Case Chief" on Oct. 24, a couple-to-be and a photographer were recently seen taking photos atop the burial mound of Tomb No. 1 in the Majeon Tomb Complex in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk. A video posted on social media showed a man and woman dressed in a wedding gown and suit posing in various ways and taking photos at the top of the mound.

A sign reading "Majeon Tomb No. 1 Stone-Chamber Tomb" and a fence restricting access had been installed around the tomb. Informant A, who witnessed the scene, said, "I thought there was no way they would climb up, but the photographer said it was okay to go up."

According to A, the couple-to-be asked the photographer before the shoot whether they could climb onto the mound. The photographer reportedly said there was no problem, and the shoot went ahead. A later approached them and protested, and they reportedly apologized before coming down from the mound.

A prospective couple and their photographer sparked controversy after they were seen taking wedding photos atop the burial mound of an ancient tomb, a cultural heritage site dating to the Baekje period. Screenshot from Instagram.

A said, "I've seen dogs climb up there without knowing any better, but these were fully grown adults doing it, so I contacted the Wansan District Office." A added, "Officials from the Korea Heritage Service called to check whether they had really taken wedding photos on top of the tomb." A continued, "Of course, this is absolutely not allowed," and said, "They must have known." Online commenters said, "The photographer is also responsible, and the couple-to-be is responsible for going along with it or letting it happen."

Under Article 101 of the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, climbing onto a tomb can be punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. However, the tomb is a recreated site rebuilt based on historical research, making it difficult to apply the Cultural Heritage Protection Act and leaving it unclear whether legal penalties can be imposed.

This is not the first time unauthorized climbing onto a tomb has sparked controversy. In April, a video was shared showing a boy estimated to be around five years old climbing onto a tomb in the Gyeongju Historic Areas in Gyeongbuk and sliding down as if it were a slide. The management team, alerted by a report at the time, went to check for damage and explain the safety concerns, but the child and guardian had already left.

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