Mokpo City Declares Political Banners for Self-Promotion Now Illegal

Designated Stands Required for Holiday Greetings and Policy Promotion Banners

Draft Standards for Installation of Political Banners According to the Newly Revised Outdoor Advertising Act

Mokpo City in South Jeolla Province is set to intensify its efforts to regulate and manage illegal banners as the posting of banners increases ahead of holidays, various events, and elections.

According to the city, the recent rise in promotional banners for holidays, events, and festivals, as well as political banners, has raised concerns about the deterioration of the city's aesthetics and potential disruption of election order. In response, the city plans to actively inform the public of the requirements and precautions for banner postings based on relevant laws, and to strengthen its crackdown on illegal advertisements.

Under Article 8 of the current "Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and Promotion of Outdoor Advertising Industry," political banners are permitted only if they include the title and name of a member of the National Assembly who concurrently serves as the head of a party members' council (regional chairperson), or if they include the title and name of the party members' council head (regional chairperson). Therefore, even if the content relates to routine party activities under the "Political Parties Act," banners that do not meet these requirements are considered illegal advertisements.

In addition, regarding the nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3, the city explained that posting political banners within 120 days prior to election day may violate the facility installation restrictions under Article 90 of the "Public Official Election Act," and thus requires particular caution.

General banners posted for holidays, events, or policy promotion must also be installed on designated stands unless they are exempt from the application of the "Outdoor Advertising Act." Information regarding the use of designated banner stands can be obtained from the Mokpo City branch of the Outdoor Advertising Association.

The city is urging all political parties and banner production and installation companies to comply with relevant laws and display and installation standards. In addition, the city has requested active participation in the use of eco-friendly materials and recycling when producing banners, in accordance with the "Mokpo City Ordinance on Promoting the Use of Eco-Friendly Materials and Activating Recycling for Banners."

A city official stated, "Please take special care to avoid any disadvantages caused by the posting of illegal banners," and added, "We ask for the cooperation of citizens, political parties, and the industry to establish a proper advertising culture and create a pleasant urban environment."

The city plans to continue regular inspections and guidance on illegal banners in order to minimize inconvenience to citizens and to strive for a clean cityscape and the establishment of fair election order.