Suwon City Moves to Block Hateful and Defamatory Banners

Suwon City in Gyeonggi Province has taken action against the indiscriminate posting of banners containing hateful or defamatory content.

Recently, Suwon City revised its criteria for prohibited advertisements in accordance with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's guidelines on the application of the "Outdoor Advertisements Act: Prohibited Advertisements (Content Prohibition)."

The criteria for prohibited advertisements under Article 5 of the Outdoor Advertisements Act include exceptions such as banners from political parties and advertisements installed by national or local governments.

Additionally, the prohibited content includes: content that justifies criminal acts or depicts them in a cruel manner; content that is obscene, decadent, or likely to harm public morals; content that could hinder the protection or guidance of youth; content that encourages speculative behavior; content that is racially or sexually discriminatory or otherwise raises concerns about human rights violations; and content that is prohibited from being advertised under other laws.

Even if a political party banner does not fall under the reasons for prohibition, it may still be subject to removal if it fails to meet formal requirements such as exceeding the designated posting period under the Outdoor Advertisements Act.

Suwon City reviews not only isolated phrases but also the overall meaning and context of the wording. If a prohibited word or phrase is used, or if the meaning changes in a specific region or context, it will also be subject to regulation, even if the expression is not inherently negative.

Suwon City Hall

If a banner clearly contains prohibited content, the architecture department of each district will order the advertisement manager to remove it within 24 hours. If the banner is not removed, the city will take direct action to remove it.

If there is room for interpretation or if a complaint is filed, a review and action will be conducted by the Outdoor Advertisement Review Committee, which includes lawyers and human rights officers.

A Suwon City official stated, "In response to the surge in complaints regarding political party banners, we have established standards and a review system to prevent the posting of banners containing hateful or defamatory content. We will enhance fairness in decision-making by reflecting the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's guidelines and involving human rights officers." The official added, "We will prevent the posting of banners containing hateful or defamatory content and establish a healthy advertising culture."