First Case of Theft at National Museum

The first ever theft occurred at the Kongju National Museum. One National Treasure artifact and three undesignated but highly valued cultural properties, 4 pieces in total, were removed on May 15.

Police asked for cooperation at airports, seaports and customs to prevent the artifacts from being smuggled out of the country. The two burglars in their 30s broke through the entrance of the duty office at Kongju National Museum in Joong-dong, Kongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do at about 10:25pm on May 15. They threatened a Mr. Park (35, researcher), who was on duty at the time with high-voltage stun guns and the other deadly weapons, tying his hands together with duct tape. One of them stood watch while the other broke glass displays on the first floor with the heavy stick. He also broke the door lock leading to the display room from the duty office and took National Treasure no. 247, a bronze statue of Bodhi-sattva.

He broke the glass display in another room and stole three other artifacts. These were a `Koryo celadon dish with inlaid patterns` excavated from the Sea in front of Boryong in 1986, and a `Koryo celadon inlaid with chrysanthemums`, excavated from Hadae-ri, Gyaeryong-myeon, Kongju-si in the same year.

Park stated: “Two burglars suddenly assaulted me while I was reading a book in the duty office.” That same day, two police officers were on duty in the office (ticketing office) 20 meters away from the duty office in the museum. However, they did not notice anything unusual. It took only 15 minutes for the burglars to get away with their prizes.

Police suspect that the crime was committed by a contract thief who secured an outlet in advance, because any cultural property designated as a National Treasure is impossible to sell on the open market. Considering the fact that the thieves did not enter the second floor exhibition area in which a closed circuit TV (CCTV) was installed, it is presumed that they planned their crime in a professional manner.

Park stated that the buglers were both about 170 centimeters tall, in their mid 30s, of slender build, and spoke in Gyeongsang province dialects. According to Park`s statement, police made a composite photo of the one thief who was not wearing a mask and distributed it around the nation. Police also offered 20 million won for any leads as to the whereabouts of the criminals.

mhjee@donga.com