The KBS drama filming team, which nailed the Mandaeru pavilion of Byeongsan Seowon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was reported to the police on suspicion of violating the 'Act on the Protection and Use of Cultural Heritage.'
According to the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency, a complaint titled 'KBS drama filming team's cultural property damage case' was filed through the public complaint portal at 12:02 a.m. on the 3rd.
The complainant, known as a citizen, cited Article 92, Paragraph 1 of the Act on the Protection and Use of Cultural Heritage (Crimes of Damage or Concealment) as a basis, stating that 'it is evident that the act of the KBS drama filming team damaging cultural property is subject to legal punishment' and 'even if restoration procedures have been agreed upon, the act of damaging cultural property itself cannot be denied as a legal violation. Please investigate thoroughly and punish sternly.' The police plan to verify the content of the complaint and assign it to the Andong Police Station in the morning.
The previous day, the Andong City government confirmed that on Dec. 30 last year, the KBS drama filming team left five nail marks on the wooden pillars of Mandaeru to hang six prop lanterns and stated that it is reviewing legal actions such as a complaint. The nail marks were identified to be 2 to 3 cm thick and about 1 cm deep each. KBS issued an apology and agreed to actively discuss measures to prevent recurrence, consent on restoration procedures, and address additional damages.
Byeongsan Seowon, regarded as the most beautiful seowon in Korea, is cultural property listed as Historic Site No. 260 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among them, Mandaeru is considered a valuable heritage, acclaimed as a representative pavilion of Korea's seowon that well exemplifies the characteristics of modest and restrained mid-Joseon architecture. It is also designated as a treasure.