Four Malaysian tourists photographed in Korean public bath, police called
A visitor at a Haeundae jjimjilbang called police after four Malaysian women took photos inside the nude bathing pool.
What happened1/6 Four women photographed inside a nude bathing pool in Haeundae
Four Malaysian women entered the bathing pool at a jjimjilbang in Haeundae, South Korea, while taking photos on their phones. The pool is a no-clothing area where all visitors bathe bare.
A fellow visitor spotted them, panicked, climbed out of the pool and reported the incident to spa staff, who called the police.
The four women were asked to wait in the spa lobby. Police checked their phones and found photos taken inside the bathing area. They then checked their passports and confirmed all four were Malaysian tourists.
The real numbers2/6 Four tourists involved, zero nude photos found
4Malaysian tourists involved0photos showing other visitors nudePolice reviewed the phones and found photos taken inside the bathing area. However, no photo clearly showed another visitor in a nude state. The four women were wearing hijabs and sunglasses when they entered the pool, which the source notes is not the issue.
Why it matters3/6 The bathing pool is a privacy zone, not a photo spot
A jjimjilbang bathing pool is a space where every visitor is unclothed. Privacy is the one rule that makes it work for everyone.
The source stresses that the problem is the act of photographing inside the bathing area, not the women's hijabs or their nationality. Taking a phone into that space and pointing it around puts every other visitor's privacy at risk, whether or not a nude image ends up saved.
The source also notes the four women laughed when police confronted them, which the reporting visitor found dismissive of how serious the breach is.
Myth vs fact4/6 The issue is photography, not hijab or nationality
MythThe incident is about Malaysian tourists or Muslim women wearing hijab in a Korean spa.FactThe source states plainly that the issue is taking photos in a private bathing area. It warns against turning the story into a generalisation against Malaysians or Muslims. The women's clothing and passport are not the offence; the camera is.- 01/01
Malaysian tourists involved 4 Four tourists involved, zero nude photos found Malaysian tourists involved
What to do, step by step5/6 Before you enter a Korean jjimjilbang bathing area
The source quotes the Malay proverb "Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung" — wherever you step, respect the local sky. A few practical reminders for Malaysian travellers:
- Leave your phone in the locker. Most jjimjilbang bathing areas ban cameras and phones outright. If you are unsure, ask the front desk before you enter.
- Check the posted rules at the entrance. Korean spas usually display a no-photography sign in Korean and English near the bathing-area door.
- If you see someone photographing inside the bathing area, tell the staff immediately. Do not confront them yourself; let the staff handle it, as the Haeundae visitor did.
- If you are travelling in a group, remind everyone before you go in. One phone in the wrong room can turn a holiday into a police matter.
Worth knowing6/6 No fine or charge reported in the source
The reports describe the police checking phones and passports. They do not state whether any fine, deportation order or legal charge followed. If you want to know the exact penalty for unauthorised photography in a Korean private space, check the Korean National Police Agency or your nearest Malaysian embassy in Seoul before your trip.
Questions people ask
Were the four Malaysian tourists fined or arrested?
The source text does not mention any fine, arrest or legal charge. Police checked their phones, found photos, confirmed their passports and the incident ended at the lobby. No penalty is stated.
Can you take photos inside a Korean jjimjilbang?
Photography is prohibited in the bathing and sauna areas where visitors are unclothed. The lobby and dining areas are generally fine. When in doubt, ask staff before you press the shutter.
What should I do if I see someone taking photos in a Korean spa?
Tell the front desk or a staff member right away. Do not try to grab the phone or confront the person yourself. The staff will handle it and can call the police if needed.
