'Blue Gate House roses' near Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon

CCTV footage shows young couple cutting vines after midnight

Owner: 'Too much was cut — restoration will be difficult'

Before and after photos showing the unauthorized cutting of the roses. [Blue Gate Rose SNS]
Before and after photos showing the unauthorized cutting of the roses. [Blue Gate Rose SNS]

A rose vine that had become a popular photo spot near Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon was cut down without permission in the middle of the night, leaving only bare green stems where cascading pink blooms once covered the garden wall. The sight drew widespread outrage online.

A representative of the household in Namsu-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon, said Tuesday that they had filed a police report over the unauthorized cutting of the roses.

The social media account, known as "Blue Gate Rose," showed operator A saying Friday that the damage was not the first of its kind. "It's heartbreaking, but so much was cut this time that I don't think restoration to its former state will be possible," A wrote. A added that a previous incident had involved an elderly person whom A had chosen not to pursue. "I felt sorry for them and let it go."

"This time it appears to have been a young couple, which is truly disappointing," A said. "If the investigation proceeds, there will be absolutely no leniency this time. CCTV footage confirmed two individuals after midnight, and a police report has been filed."

The house sits in a residential neighborhood in Namsu-dong near Hwaseong Haenggung Palace. Its rose vines — which bloom so densely they cover nearly half the blue front gate — have made it a well-known photo spot among tourists visiting the palace. The area is slated for redevelopment, and word of mouth has it that this year will be the last for the Blue Gate roses.

A posted a video comparing photos of the roses in full bloom with the current state of bare stems, captioning it: "What on earth did the roses do to deserve being cut down and ruined like this?"

Online commenters joined in the anger. "Why would you cut someone else's roses? Please make sure they're punished," one wrote. "After midnight — that's basically premeditated theft. Show no leniency," said another. A third wrote: "Those were beautiful flowers the owner shared out of generosity for everyone to enjoy. These people are utterly selfish."

On Wednesday, a comment appeared on the same social media account, apparently left by the person responsible. The commenter, identified as B, wrote: "I couldn't bear to see the roses disappear — the flowers had already fallen, and the vines looked like they needed pruning, so I was embarrassed and came at night to cut some branches for propagation." B added that three detectives had since visited and confiscated the cuttings. "I was shocked. I am truly sorry. My good intentions caused the owner great distress. I am truly sorry," B wrote.

B said the support ties protecting the rose vines had gone unnoticed while cutting in the dark, and explained the motivation as a desire to grow the roses outside their own front gate for others in the neighborhood to enjoy before the vines were demolished. "I will give a written statement at the police station if asked and will reflect on what I did. I will of course accept any legal punishment," B wrote, adding: "I should offer you some comfort in your distress, but all I can say is I'm sorry. I was reckless."

A, however, appeared not to have received a direct apology or any contact from police, and pushed back at B's post. "Are you really the person who did this? Don't you know that a message like this makes people even angrier?" A wrote. "Which part of this was a good intention? Is this really something a person who is worried about what will happen to their roses — when they have to leave this place — would do or say? Even if I'm no longer here, the roses are mine to deal with. I have no idea why you took it upon yourself to cut them and then pretend to be concerned."


jshan@heraldcorp.com