A man in his 50s has been formally arrested for allegedly vandalizing roof tiles at Jongmyo Shrine, one of South Korea's most sacred UNESCO World Heritage sites located in central Seoul. The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant against the suspect, who has been charged with violating the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, amid concerns that he might attempt to flee the jurisdiction.

The incident occurred on Monday when the suspect allegedly used his bare hands to damage a total of 10 traditional roof tiles on the outer wall of the historic shrine. The damaged tiles included five convex tiles and five concave tiles, which are integral components of the traditional Korean architectural design. Authorities suspect the man was intoxicated at the time he committed the vandalism, though specific details about his blood alcohol level have not been disclosed.

Following a formal report filed by the shrine's management office, local police took swift action to investigate the incident. The suspect was detained on Wednesday, and law enforcement officials subsequently applied for a formal arrest warrant on Friday. The court's decision to grant the warrant was based on flight risk concerns, indicating the seriousness with which Korean authorities are treating this case of cultural heritage destruction.

The Korea Heritage Service, which oversees the preservation and maintenance of the nation's cultural treasures, has already completed the restoration work on all damaged tiles. Officials have not disclosed the specific cost of the repairs or the time required to complete the restoration, but emphasized that the shrine's structural integrity and historical authenticity have been fully preserved.

Jongmyo Shrine holds immense cultural and historical significance as the primary repository for the spirit tablets of deceased kings and queens from the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910. The shrine was officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, recognizing its outstanding universal value as one of the world's most authentic Confucian royal ancestral shrines. This designation places it among Korea's most protected cultural sites, making any damage to the structure a serious criminal offense under national heritage protection laws.