A video circulating on social media has drawn significant attention, showing a South Korean tour guide urinating in public at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The guide, identified as 61-year-old Hwang Bogdong, was leading a group of Korean tourists when the incident occurred on Feb. 13.
The behavior was recorded by other visitors and quickly condemned online, as it was seen as a violation of the cultural and heritage norms associated with the site. Cambodian netizens have called for authorities to take action against him.
On Feb. 22, the Siem Reap provincial tourism department summoned Hwang for questioning, where he admitted to the act. He explained that he suffers from a chronic kidney condition, which causes frequent urination, leading to his inappropriate behavior. He expressed deep remorse and publicly apologized to the Cambodian government and its people.
The Deputy Director of the Siem Reap Tourism Department stated that due to Hwang's health issues, even a written commitment would not guarantee that similar incidents would not occur in the future. Consequently, they decided to suspend his work and revoke his translator duties.
Angkor Wat is a vital cultural heritage site, and any disrespectful actions are unacceptable. The tourism department plans to enhance management measures for guides and tourists to prevent similar incidents.
Hwang accepted the suspension and committed not to work as a guide in the Angkor area until he recovers, voluntarily surrendering his translator license to the provincial tourism department for safekeeping.
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