Two tourists visiting Seoul sparked outrage after they were filmed defecating along the stone walls of Gyeongbokgung Palace on 10 Nov 2025.
The incident occurred at one of South Korea’s most significant cultural landmarks and was captured by a passerby who later shared the footage with local media.
Video Footage Shows Tourists Relieving Themselves at Historic Site
Footage aired by local broadcaster JTBC showed a man crouching in the bushes while holding toilet paper.
A woman stood next to him, pulling down her white trousers to relieve herself.
After a few moments, the woman stood up and walked away. Visible stains were left on her clothing as she departed the scene.
The man emerged from the bushes shortly after. The act took place along the outer stone walls of Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace from the Joseon era that dates back to 1392.
The palace is designated as Historic Site No. 117 by the Cultural Heritage Administration. It remains one of Seoul’s most visited tourist attractions.
The person who recorded the clip told JTBC that many tour groups were visiting the palace at the time. He said the pair appeared to be part of an overseas tour group, noting that several Chinese group tours were present at Gyeongbokgung during the incident.
Police Intervene But Don’t Detain Pair, Man Fined 50,000 Won
Police officers patrolling nearby reportedly stepped in to stop the act. However, they did not detain or formally book the individuals at the scene.
The man was later fined 50,000 won (~S$44.44) for his actions, according to South Korean media The Chosun Daily.
Under South Korean law, defecating at a cultural heritage site can lead to a misdemeanour charge. The Minor Offences Punishment Act stipulates that urinating or defecating in public places can result in a fine of up to 100,000 won (~S$88.88).
The incident has drawn sharp criticism across Korean social media platforms. Commenters expressed anger over the blatant disrespect shown at a major cultural landmark that holds deep historical significance for the nation.
Some netizens compared the incident to previous cases in Jeju Island, where tourists were seen allowing their children to defecate on streets and near natural monuments.
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