A Large Number of Taegukgi Discarded on a Roadside in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province
Temporarily Placed in Garbage Bags for Incineration
On June 6, a pile of standard garbage bags filled with Taegukgi was found on a roadside in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, prompting a police investigation. It has since been confirmed that the Taegukgi inside the garbage bags had been collected by an event agency for incineration. On June 7, the day after Memorial Day, Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University commented on social media regarding the controversy over the large number of Taegukgi being discarded in garbage bags on Memorial Day. He urged, "We must comply with the National Flag Act." He emphasized, "The Taegukgi must be managed in accordance with the National Flag Act. If the Taegukgi is damaged, it should not be left unattended or repurposed for other uses, but should be disposed of properly, such as through incineration."
As the controversy spread, residents filed reports and the police began an investigation. On June 9, SBS reported, citing the Cheongju Cheongwon Police Station, that the garbage bags containing Taegukgi had been prepared by the head of an event agency in Cheongju. The agency had collected contaminated or damaged Taegukgi and placed them in garbage bags for incineration. This agency has been responsible for installing and collecting Taegukgi on behalf of the local government. In this case, the Taegukgi found were contaminated or damaged, and the agency had temporarily stored them in garbage bags for lawful incineration. A citizen misunderstood the situation and reported it. The police have determined that it is difficult to apply the charge of desecration of the national flag or emblem in this case and plan to close the investigation.
Meanwhile, the National Flag Act of the Republic of Korea was enacted and implemented by Presidential Decree on July 27, 2007, with the purpose of "stipulating basic matters concerning the production, hoisting, and management of the national flag symbolizing the Republic of Korea, thereby promoting awareness and safeguarding the dignity of the national flag to inspire patriotism." Generally, it is known that dirty Taegukgi should not be washed. However, Article 22 of the Enforcement Decree of the National Flag Act stipulates that "if the national flag is stained or wrinkled, it may be washed or ironed for hoisting or storage, provided it is not damaged."
In addition, Article 10, Paragraph 3 of the National Flag Act states, "If the national flag is damaged, it must be disposed of immediately by incineration or other appropriate means." Furthermore, Article 11, which concerns the use and restrictions of the national flag or its design, specifies that "if the flag is used in a damaged state, such as by making holes or cutting, or if the Taegukgi is used in a manner that causes disgust among the public, the national flag or its design must not be used."
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