Yangcheon District Refutes "Targeted Crackdown on City Council Member" Allegations, Asserting "Lawful Administrative Action"

“Regret Over Incumbent City Council Member’s Illegal Conduct”

On December 9, the Yangcheon District Office in Seoul refuted media reports that described the crackdown on a three-term city council member’s wrapped vehicle as a “targeted crackdown,” stating, “All actions taken were lawful administrative measures in accordance with the relevant statutes.”

In response to an online media outlet’s report on the “targeted crackdown on a three-term city council member’s wrapped vehicle,” the district office asserted, “The main content of the report is not factual,” and explained, “After confirming the violation, we took action according to proper procedures to ensure that advertisements displayed on vehicles complied with relevant regulations.” The office pointed out that reporting this as a “targeted crackdown” seriously damaged the reputation of the district mayor and public officials, as well as undermined trust in the district’s policies.

Controversial City Council Member's Wrapped Vehicle. Screenshot from Lee Gijae, Yangcheon District Mayor's Blog.

Lee Gijae, Yangcheon District Mayor, stated, “Since a city council member in Yangcheon District was operating a vehicle fully wrapped for promotional purposes, we requested correction because the excessive size of the wrap constituted a legal violation. We also informed that administrative action could be taken if the issue was not addressed within a specified period.” He continued, “In response, the vehicle’s registration was changed to Nowon District, but the vehicle continues to be operated within Yangcheon District.” He further criticized, “It is not only a dereliction of duty for a sitting city council member-who should be making laws and overseeing the administration-to evade the law and persist in illegal conduct, but it also serves to undermine administrative enforcement itself.”

Regarding the claim that “the vehicle is legal because it is approved by the Election Commission,” the district office clarified that the Election Commission only has the authority to determine compliance with the Public Official Election Act, and that the application of the Outdoor Advertisements Act is unrelated to the Public Official Election Act. According to Article 3 of the Outdoor Advertisements Act, transportation vehicles as defined by Presidential Decree must obtain permission or file a notification with the district office that has jurisdiction over the vehicle’s place of registration or main office location.

The district office also refuted the claim that the vehicle is “exempt from permission or notification under Article 8 of the Outdoor Advertisements Act.” Article 8 only exempts non-profit advertisements displayed or installed for less than 30 days from permission or notification, and the office emphasized that this exemption does not apply to vehicle advertisements on automobiles.

Addressing the claim that it was unusual to send an official letter to Nowon District, the office responded, “Requesting action from the competent authority upon discovering an illegal matter is standard administrative procedure,” and added, “A case like this, where the vehicle’s registration is transferred to another district but the vehicle continues to operate in the original jurisdiction, is itself highly unusual.”

On December 8, Mayor Lee also posted on his blog, stating, “It is difficult to understand how someone who cannot even comply with basic laws can aspire to become the head of the administration,” and added, “While media outlets that defend illegal acts with inaccurate reporting are problematic, I also hope that the incumbent city council member responsible for creating this controversy will feel some sense of shame.”