Police launched an investigation into whether there are concerns about damage to cultural heritage related to a protest encampment set up in front of the Gyeongbok Palace wall near the Cheong Wa Dae Sarangchae.
On the 15th, the Jongno Police Station in Seoul said it booked officials from four groups—the Public Transport Workers' Union, the Alliance of Victims of Big Business Abuse, the Homeplus Co. union, and the National Health Insurance Union—on suspicion of violating the Act on Conservation and Utilization of Cultural Heritage.
The investigation follows complaints filed in December and on Feb. by the Gyeongbok Palace Management Office under the Korea Heritage Service against the four groups that continued a sit-in along the wall near Cheong Wa Dae.
The Korea Heritage Service viewed that metal structures and banners installed at the encampment were pressed against the Gyeongbok Palace wall, raising concerns they could damage the cultural heritage.
The Gyeongbok Palace wall constitutes cultural heritage, and under the relevant law, if it is recognized that someone carried out an "act likely to affect the preservation of cultural heritage," the person can face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.
Police plan to refer the case to prosecutors after investigating, based on on-site photos and other materials, whether there is a risk of affecting the preservation of the Gyeongbok Palace wall.
However, police are said to believe that forced dispersal or hospital transport would be difficult, considering the health of protesters who have been on an extended hunger strike.