Illegal Banners Blanketing Downtown Suwon Ahead of Lunar New Year Frustrate Citizens

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Ahead of Lunar New Year, various banners blanketing downtown Suwon are marring the urban landscape and frustrating citizens.

In particular, political party banners, promotional advertisements, and illegal banners are haphazardly proliferating around intersections, crosswalks, and bus stops, compounding inconvenience for citizen traffic and threatening safety.

The proliferation of such banners coincides with the period ahead of Lunar New Year. Political banners from prospective candidates and promotional banners from various political parties for the 22nd general election form the majority.

Meanwhile, promotional banners from elected local politicians, city council members, and organizational heads offering Lunar New Year greetings are also appearing throughout the downtown area.

Some are not complying with the 'designated posting location' regulations specified in the Outdoor Advertising Act revised on January 12.

As such banners are taking up prime locations throughout the city, citizen complaints are mounting. The specifications, shapes, and messages of the banners are all over the map.

Some even use provocative text and colors that cause viewers to frown.

In fact, the banner reading "Have a Happy Lunar New Year" installed by Suwon City Council Chairman Kim Ki-jeong on an overpass in Uman-dong, Paldal-gu, is a large-scale banner exceeding 20 meters in length with a unique color (photo), drawing criticism that it is an urban eyesore.

In particular, this location is not a designated posting area, raising concerns that it may violate the Outdoor Advertising Act. Suwon City Council Chairman Kim Ki-jeong is known to have installed banners at seven locations throughout Suwon.

Regarding this, an official from Suwon City Council's Legislative Affairs Team stated, "It is an installation by the Council Chairman personally, so we don't know the details," and added, "The Lunar New Year promotional banners installed by Suwon City Council at 44 locations across the city at a cost of 3 million won were installed at designated posting locations."

Meanwhile, 'apartment sales promotion' and illegal banners ignoring designated posting requirements are also haphazardly proliferating throughout the downtown area.

A citizen surnamed Kim residing in Yeongdeungpo-gu said, "While the proliferation of banners is not an issue unique to Suwon, as a special metropolitan city, it is embarrassing, and considering the returning hometown visitors for Lunar New Year, it is shameful," and added, "I hope the city will eliminate illegal acts through strict enforcement of the law and improve the urban landscape."

Meanwhile, the 'Outdoor Advertising Enforcement Decree' that has been in effect since January 12 limits the number of banners each political party can display to no more than two per eup, myeon, or dong.

Additionally, banners can only be installed in locations that do not compromise the safety of pedestrians or vehicles. The placement of political party banners is prohibited in children's protection zones and sections where no-parking signs are installed near fire facilities.

Furthermore, banners must be installed so that the bottom of the banner body is at least 2.5 meters high in areas around intersections, crosswalks, and bus stops where there is a high risk of obstructing pedestrian passage or drivers' visibility.