Seocho District Conducts Safety Inspections of Outdoor Advertisements Ahead of Summer Flood and Storm Season

Seocho District in Seoul is conducting safety inspections of outdoor advertisements in preparation for summer flood and storm seasons. Ahead of the monsoon and typhoon periods, the district is carrying out preemptive checks with local community centers on advertisements in alley commercial areas, traditional markets, and street shops that may pose safety risks.

Exterior view of Seocho District Office. Provided by Seocho District.

This inspection is a measure to protect residents' safety and safeguard the livelihoods of small business owners. With the risk of signboard accidents increasing due to strong winds and heavy rain, the focus is on accident prevention.

During the inspection process, any advertisements found to pose a serious risk will be addressed immediately. Advertisements identified as problematic will be included among the 325 sites subject to intensive management by a joint public-private inspection team starting from the 12th.

Additionally, advertisement managers and business owners are being encouraged to conduct voluntary inspections and maintenance. The district office is also posting safety inspection notices on its website to help prevent accidents. Local merchants' associations have expressed their support for these measures.

Outdoor advertisements serve as a major means for businesses to provide information in alley commercial areas, traditional markets, and street shops. However, if not properly managed, they can lead to safety accidents and property damage due to falling or breakage. As strong winds and heavy rain become more frequent in the summer, the risk of signboard accidents increases.

Seocho District Mayor Jun Sungsoo stated, "Outdoor advertisements that pose safety risks can not only affect the city's appearance but also disrupt small business owners' operations and significantly impact the local economy if accidents occur due to floods or storms. Through this safety inspection, we will do our utmost to prevent accidents in advance, protect residents' safety, and ensure that small business owners can operate their stores with peace of mind."