An American tourist has been apprehended police in Seoul for allegedly vandalizing 155 locations in the central Yongsan district of the city. The suspect, an unnamed man in his 30s who arrived in South Korea as a tourist, has been accused of spray-painting the words “bruxism” or “brux” on storefronts and gates, causing damage to both private and public property.
According to reports, the accused tourist claimed that he was trying to raise awareness about bruxism, a condition where people unconsciously grind or clench their teeth. He stated that he suffers from severe bruxism and wanted to inform others about the seriousness of the condition. Police are still investigating the motives behind his actions.
Authorities received complaints about the graffiti starting on October 25 and launched a search for the suspect. An Instagram account under the handle @bruxism.hunter appeared to be tracking the man’s graffiti writings since late October, posting photos of the graffiti on various surfaces.
The US tourist has been banned from leaving South Korea, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident. Yongsan is a popular district for tourists and is home to the Itaewon commercial neighborhood. This area was the site of a tragic crowd crush during Halloween last year, in which more than 150 people lost their lives.