Gwangju Office of Education Faces 'Election Law Violation' Controversy Over Banners Ahead of Lunar New Year

Civic Group Urges Superintendent Lee Jungseon to Apologize
Election Commission: "Investigation Underway"
Metropolitan Office of Education: "Banners Removed Immediately"

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education became embroiled in an unexpected controversy over 'violation of election law' after hanging banners announcing free parking at educational facilities and schools ahead of the Lunar New Year.

Typically, school banners are installed at school gates or designated bulletin boards, but concerns were raised that these banners, which were set up in public places such as nearby intersections and main roads, could violate the Outdoor Advertising Act. In response, the Gwangju Election Commission stated that it is conducting a related investigation.

According to coverage by Asia Economy on the 24th, the civic group Citizens' Coalition for a Society Without Academic Cliques in Gwangju urged, "Superintendent Lee Jungseon should publicly apologize for violating the election law."

Photo of Lunar New Year banner by Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education. Provided by Citizens' Group for a Society Without Academic Cliffs

The group pointed out, "Banners bearing Superintendent Lee's name and the message 'Parking lots for residents! Have a warm and happy Lunar New Year!' were posted at 142 locations, including schools throughout the city," adding, "School banners are usually installed at school gates or designated boards, but these were indiscriminately installed in public places such as intersections and main roads near schools, which constitutes a violation of the Outdoor Advertising Act."

They further criticized the wording on the banners, stating, "The phrase 'Parking lots for residents!' could mislead people into thinking that school parking lots are open at all times," and added, "We have inquired with the Gwangju Election Commission regarding whether this constitutes a violation of election law."

A representative of the group said, "We inquired with the Gwangju Election Commission regarding a possible election law violation," and added, "On the 23rd, we received a response from the Commission stating that the banners in question could be considered a violation of Article 86, Paragraph 5 of the Public Official Election Act."

In response, the Gwangju Election Commission stated, "An investigation is underway." An official from the Commission said, "We are checking what violations may be involved," and added, "Since we are conducting our own investigation, we cannot disclose further details at this time." However, they clarified, "We have not separately instructed the Office of Education to remove the banners."

Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education building.

Regarding this, a representative from the Office of Education stated, "Through our inquiry with the Election Commission, we received the opinion that, as the banners have the nature of policy promotion, there is a possibility of violating the election law," and added, "Accordingly, we immediately took steps to remove the banners."

The representative also explained, regarding concerns that the phrase 'Parking lots for residents!' could be misunderstood as meaning the parking lots are open at all times, "We have customarily put up greeting banners every holiday."

It was found that a total of 2.5 million won was spent on producing the banners.