German booked for graffiti

A Korean-German has been booked without detention after spray-painting graffiti in downtown Seoul, police said Monday.

The 31-year-old woman, only identified by her surname Kim, was apprehended in Jung-gu, central Seoul, on charges of damaging private property, according to Namdaemun Police Station.

Kim allegedly spray-painted a heart-shaped image and Roman alphabet letters with an unidentified man on the wall of a building in Myeong-dong, one of Seoul’s busiest shopping districts, with tourists.

During the police investigation, the German woman, who entered Korea in April to meet her parents, stated that the graffiti was intended to promote world peace. She does not seem to be affiliated with any organizations, police said.

“We are tracing the man who ran away from the scene, but it is difficult to detain him due to lack of evidence,” police said.

In Korea, painting graffiti on private property without permission can be punishable with a penalty of 7 million won ($6,300) and up to three years in prison. Those who draw graffiti on public property face a heavier penalty of up to 20 million won and 10 years in jail on charges.

Seoul has seen more and more graffiti, with police suspecting foreign nationals of painting graffiti found only meters away from a police office in Myeong-dong.

Last month, a 22-year-old Latvian and 27-year-old Spaniard were also detained after painting graffiti on exterior walls of subways running through Seoul, Incheon and Ansan from 2013 to April.

Police vowed to expand its investigation into other foreign graffiti artists in Seoul.

By Ock Hyun-ju  (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)