Seodaemun-gu Intensifies Crackdown on Political Party Banners Violating Regulations

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Seongheon) announced on the 31st that it will strengthen the management of political party banners by conducting a comprehensive inspection in accordance with the revised Outdoor Advertising Act (Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and the Promotion of the Outdoor Advertising Industry) that came into effect this year. The revised law restricts the number, location, size, and display methods of political party banners.

Specifically, the regulations include ▲limiting the installation of political party banners to two per neighborhood ▲prohibiting installation within 5 meters of children's protection zones and fire facility zones ▲prohibiting more than two banners on streetlights and utility poles ▲prohibiting the obstruction of other banners, traffic signals, and safety signs ▲and restricting banner size to within 10㎡.

Additionally, the Seoul Outdoor Advertising Ordinance (Ordinance on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and the Promotion of the Outdoor Advertising Industry in Seoul), revised at the end of last year, guarantees the freedom of political expression for parties to the maximum extent but prohibits the installation of banners that defame individuals by displaying their real names.

Accordingly, the district office plans to notify each political party in advance about the amendments to the law, request voluntary correction of any violations among already installed political party banners, and enforce removal or other compulsory measures if compliance is not met.

After an educational period until February 2, the first round of corrections will be completed between February 5 and 8, followed by a second round from February 19 to 29, before the start of the new school term.

Lee Seongheon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, stated, “We will continuously strive to create a safe and pleasant street environment free of illegal banners, including during election campaign periods.”