Hwaseong City to Proactively Respond to Prohibited Hateful and Defamatory Advertisements and Banners

Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province announced on January 22 that it will launch a rigorous campaign to remove prohibited advertisements and banners containing hateful or defamatory content.

A Hwaseong City official is removing illegal banners posted along the roadside. Photo by Hwaseong City

The city determined that advertisements insulting others or promoting discrimination and hate can cause social conflict and infringe on citizens' daily lives and human rights. As a result, it has decided to implement an immediate response and maintenance system.

This campaign is a proactive measure in accordance with the "Guidelines for the Application of Prohibited Outdoor Advertisements" established by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The city plans to actively utilize legal interpretations provided by the ministry to expedite the removal of prohibited advertisements.

The city will also promptly prepare a manual for the maintenance of related advertisements and banners, enabling internal review of whether materials qualify as prohibited advertisements. In addition, it will seek legal counsel from lawyers and utilize the Outdoor Advertising Review Committee as needed.

In particular, advertisements containing election-related expressions or potentially violating other laws will be handled cautiously, following consultation with relevant agencies such as the Election Commission.

Jung Yeonsong, Director of Housing at Hwaseong City, stated, "We will respond firmly to advertisements that undermine public sentiment and order," adding, "We will continue to proactively enforce regulations based on legal grounds to create a pleasant urban environment."