Latest news with #CulturalHeritageProtectionAct
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Taecyeon, Seohyun's The First Night with the Duke under police probe for UNESCO heritage site damage, director publicly apologizes
KBS2's recently-released drama The First Night with the Duke has become embroiled in controversy. The series, starring 2PM's Taecyeon and Girls' Generation's Seohyun, is now being investigated by police. Based on a popular web novel, it was expected to charm audiences. However, the production has drawn intense backlash. They are accused of damaging a designated cultural heritage site during its filming process. At the center of the scandal is Byeongsan Seowon, a 16th-century Confucian academy in Andong that was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019. Site damaged during filming Reports emerged earlier that the drama's props team had drilled nails directly into the wooden structure of Byeongsan Seowon while decorating the set. They allegedly hanged filming equipment or props. This action violated the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. It caused physical damage to a structure that is supposed to be preserved and protected at the highest level. Following an internal investigation by the Cultural Heritage Administration, three individuals from the production's props team were found to have violated heritage protection laws. They were officially referred to the prosecution. The Seoul Metropolitan Police are now conducting a formal probe into the incident. Production team relocates Amid public uproar and condemnation from cultural experts and citizens alike, the production halted all activities at Byeongsan Seowon and moved filming to a new location in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province. Despite the swift relocation, criticism has not abated. Many have voiced frustration over the apparent carelessness of the production crew, especially given the known historical value of Byeongsan Seowon. Heritage advocates argue that such negligence could have lasting effects on Korea's reputation for preserving its cultural landmarks. Director speaks out On June 11, the cast and crew held a press conference in Seoul on the same day of the drama's premiere. Director Lee Woong Hee addressed the controversy directly and issued a public apology. He accepted responsibility for the incident. 'We deeply disappointed many people due to the cultural heritage damage incident at Byeongsan Seowon during the production process,' he said. 'I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize. It was clearly our fault.' Lee further revealed that KBS has since discarded all footage shot at the heritage site. He emphasized that the network has now implemented strict new guidelines for filming at culturally sensitive locations. 'I'm not trying to boast about taking responsibility,' he added. 'We're currently under investigation by the Cultural Heritage Administration and the police, and I just want to say we've taken the best possible measures we could at this stage.' Due to the delicate nature of the damage, immediate restoration work has been delayed. Experts advised that the wooden structure of Byeongsan Seowon needs to be monitored closely over time to determine the full extent of the impact.
Korea Herald
29-04-2025
- Korea Herald
14th century book stripped of treasure status after theft revealed
Korea revokes national treasure status of ancient book on criminal law due to illegalities in its acquisition The Korea Heritage Service on Tuesday said it is revoking all administrative decisions related to the national treasure designation of the book Daemyeongryul (The Great Ming Code), due to the illegal acquisition of the ancient text by the museum director who applied for its designation. The decision to cancel the book's status as a national treasure comes years after a 2022 court ruling confirmed that the text had been stolen and sentenced the museum director to three years in prison. A KHS subcommittee, after a review of the case, decided to revoke the text's status in a meeting in February. It marks the first time that the designation of a national treasure has been officially canceled in South Korea. According to the heritage agency, Daemyeongryul had been owned by the Ryu family of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and was among the 235 ancient texts stolen from the Ryus in 1998. The theft case was registered with the agency in 2011, and 11 of the stolen items have been recovered to date. An investigation found that a person running a private museum bought Daemyeongryul from a dealer handling stolen goods in 2012 for 15 million won ($10,400), and applied to the authorities to have it designated as a treasure. The person falsely claimed it was a family heirloom. The museum director was tried for violating the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, and the Supreme Court confirmed a sentence of three years in prison. The heritage service vowed to reinforce the deliberation process of the cultural heritage subcommittee, and to conduct strict reviews of how would-be national treasures were acquired. The cancellation is merely an administrative process and does not affect the historical value of the text itself. It could potentially be re-designated as a treasure after the ownership issue has been resolved. Daemyeongryul is thought to have been written in the early days of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) on the order of its founder, King Taejo. It is a rare book that details the criminal punishment system of the Chinese Ming Dynasty, which was used as a basis for the fledgling Joseon Kingdom. It is deemed a valuable asset in research on Joseon-era law and bibliography.
Korea Herald
28-03-2025
- Korea Herald
Police to summon suspect in worst-ever wildfires for questioning
Police will summon a man suspected of causing massive wildfires in South Korea's southeastern region, officials said Friday. The suspect in his 50s is suspected of causing the fire at 11:24 a.m. on Saturday while performing an ancestral rite at a family grave on a hill in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province. The fire rapidly spread due to gusty winds amid dry conditions, devastating the region before being fully contained around 5 p.m. Friday. At least 24 people were killed and 25 others injured in the province alone, with thousands evacuated, according to authorities. Police completed a preliminary investigation involving his daughter recently, and are drawing up plans to question the man, according to officials. The accidental starting of a wildfire can result in up to three years in prison or a fine of 30 million won (US$20,433) in South Korea. Prosecutors have said the investigation needs to focus on whether he violated the Forest Protection Act, as well as the Criminal Act and the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. They also called for joint investigations with the police and relevant authorities, as the wildfires affected a total of five cities and counties in the province, according to officials. (Yonhap)
