Already 120 Investigated for Damaging Election Posters and Banners... Nearly Three Times Higher Than Previous Election

Police Deploy Mobile Patrol Units for Focused Prevention and Crackdown

With 12 days remaining until the 21st presidential election, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 22nd that it is currently investigating 120 individuals on suspicion of damaging presidential election posters and banners.

This figure is nearly three times higher than the 45 individuals investigated during the same period of the 20th presidential election. The investigation process, which includes tracking through closed-circuit (CC) TV, has also identified some offenders who are under the age of 10.

On the 15th, officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission are posting election campaign posters of candidates for the 21st presidential election on a wall near the Artists' House in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2025.05.15 Photo by Yoon Dongju

To prevent election-related crimes, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has designated areas with high foot traffic?such as subway entrances, university districts, and parks?as key patrol zones and has deployed mobile patrol units. Local police are also conducting coordinated patrols of poster installation sites within their jurisdictions.

The agency is strengthening patrols in cooperation with local organizations such as voluntary crime prevention units, and has sent an official request to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, asking for guidance to ensure that students do not damage election posters.

The police stated, "We will never tolerate acts of damaging election posters, which threaten a fair election culture," and added, "We plan to conduct strict investigations into election-related crimes in accordance with the law and established principles."