The commemorative stone for former President Yoon Suk-yeol has been found missing from Byeongsanseowon in Pungcheon-myeon, Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The stone was reportedly installed to commemorate the tree that was planted during former President Yoon's visit on October 27, 2023.
According to Andong City and Byeongsanseowon on the 2nd, the disappearance of the stone was first discovered by the 'Integrated Management Center for Korean Confucian Academies' during a routine inspection about one to two weeks ago.
According to officials from the Confucian academy, tensions surrounding the stone escalated after former President Yoon's impeachment, as tourists reportedly damaged the stone or confronted academy officials regarding it.
Debate Over Responsibility for Installation and Management of the Stone
The stone in question is presumed to have been installed by supporters of former President Yoon during the tree planting ceremony in 2023.
Andong City has stated that since Byeongsanseowon is a UNESCO-listed cultural heritage site, any installation of a tree or stone must go through the national registered cultural heritage change notification process, which the commemorative tree and stone did not follow.
In response, Andong City and the Confucian academy have stated, "Since it is not a facility we installed, it is ambiguous to report or file a complaint."
There is a situation where the management authority of the World Heritage Site and the entity that installed the stone differs, making the responsible party unclear.
Officials from Andong City and the police have mentioned that as of now, no official reports or complaints regarding the incident have been received, and thus no separate actions have been taken; however, they added, "If a report comes in, we plan to initiate an investigation."
Image source: Former President Yoon Suk-yeol attending a meeting with Confucian scholars held at Byeongsanseowon in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, on October 27, 2023, where he planted a commemorative tree after the meeting / News1 (provided by the Presidential Office), Former President Yoon Suk-yeol conversing with participants at the meeting of Confucian scholars held at Byeongsanseowon in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, on the afternoon of October 27, 2023. / News1 (provided by the Presidential Office)
