Choi Si-won asked a tourist not to smoke at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul
Super Junior member and actor Choi Si-won asked a foreign tourist to stop smoking on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. The incident was captured on video and posted on the artist’s YouTube channel, according to the Korea Herald.
In the video titled “Rainy Tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace (featuring Yang In-ok),” Choi visits the Joseon-era palace alongside volunteer tour guide Yang In-ok. While they were talking near one of the stone sculptures, a visitor with a cigarette appeared in the frame.
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The artist approached the tourist and said, “Excuse me, please,” gesturing for him to stop smoking. The visitor immediately put out his cigarette, after which Choe replied, “Thank you,” and returned to the tour.
Gyeongbokgung, one of Seoul’s most visited historical sites, is a smoke-free zone. South Korea places a high priority on preventing fires at cultural heritage sites, particularly due to the risks posed by cigarette butts. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Prevention Agency, cigarette butts were the leading cause of accidental fires in the city during the spring seasons of 2021–2025, accounting for 49% of such incidents. In 2008, the historic Sungnyemun Gate in central Seoul was destroyed as a result of arson.
