Major Korean media outlets, including MBC, Nate, and Chosun, have reported on a Vietnamese tourist who performed yoga poses in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.

In a broadcast on November 6, MBC emphasized that the incident of a woman dressed in tight clothing performing yoga near Gwanghwamun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace has stirred significant public outrage.

The woman in question has been identified as Ms. H., a resident of Hanoi. She shared videos and photos of herself practicing yoga at prominent Korean landmarks during her trip in late October on social media.

In response to the backlash, Ms. H. defended her actions, stating that she did not break any regulations and that security personnel at the location did not issue any warnings.

Not only MBC but also well-known Korean news sites such as Nate, Chosun, Yonhap, DongA, and The Joong Ang reported on the incident. Images of Ms. H. striking yoga poses quickly became a trending topic on Korean social media platforms.

Professor Seo Kyung Deok from Sungshin Women’s University also expressed his disapproval of the incident on his personal social media account.

“This behavior is inappropriate at a historical site in Korea. Tourists are free to practice yoga anywhere, but doing so in connection with another country’s cultural heritage is clearly a mistake,” Professor Seo commented.

He also suggested that Gyeongbokgung Palace’s management should implement security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Recently, Vietnamese social media was also abuzz with criticism over images of female tourists occupying landmark spots, such as the Fansipan peak marker and cloud-watching areas in Da Lat, to practice yoga, disrupting others who wanted to take photos.

Do An