Emergency Citywide Inspection of Outdoor Advertisements
102 Risky Signboards Identified for Maintenance
Phased Project to Improve Pedestrian Safety and Urban Landscape
Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) conducted an emergency joint safety inspection of outdoor advertisements throughout the city to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents following the signboard fall accident that occurred in Howon-dong on January 10.
The inspection began at 9 a.m. on January 11, with more than 30 participants, including all staff from the Architecture Division and members of the Outdoor Advertising Association, divided into eight teams. The teams focused on areas with a high concentration of aging buildings, commercial districts, and zones with heavy pedestrian traffic.
A total of approximately 960 signboards were inspected, and 102 locations were identified as having risk factors such as installation types similar to the accident case, weakened support connections, and loosened or corroded joints.
Based on the results of this inspection, the city plans to implement a phased hazardous signboard maintenance project from January 19 to June 30. The city will first conduct a comprehensive monthly survey in priority areas such as Pyeonghwa-ro, while simultaneously checking the permit and reporting status, as well as the on-site safety conditions, of signboards taller than 5 meters.
During this process, the city aims to encourage voluntary maintenance by providing administrative and financial support, such as accepting on-site reports, simplifying paperwork, and reducing fines and enforcement charges. However, if permits or reports are not properly submitted, administrative actions will be taken in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
In addition, the city will continue to address unauthorized, abandoned, or relocated signboards, long-neglected ownerless signboards, and protruding signboards with structural defects throughout the city. If building owners or business operators agree, the city is also considering providing support for removal costs.
An official from Uijeongbu City stated, "Through this maintenance project, we aim to improve both pedestrian safety and the urban landscape, and by strengthening safety management of outdoor advertisements, we will create a walking environment where citizens can feel secure."
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