Muan-gun, Zero Fines for Illegal Banners Over 2 Years... Suspicions of Favoritism Toward Companies

Published 25 Aug.2021 10:21(KST)

In 2018, Multiple Cases Imposed on One Company... "We Are Guiding and Demolishing"

A part of the apartment sales promotional banner hung at Namakmaru Samgeori, Samhyang-eup, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, has come loose and is fluttering in the wind, causing inconvenience to drivers and pedestrians. / Photo by Asia Economy

[Muan＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo] Jeonnam Muan-gun launched a comprehensive crackdown on illegal advertisements on the 20th, but no fines have been imposed for illegal banners, drawing criticism that the enforcement administration is failing.

According to Muan-gun on the 25th, since 2019, not a single fine has been imposed for illegal advertisements (banners) to date.

In contrast, nearby Mokpo City has been confirmed to strongly enforce and file complaints by imposing fines amounting to hundreds of millions of won annually for illegal advertisements.

However, in Muan-gun, apartment sale advertisement banners in Namak New Town and Oryong District are indiscriminately installed along major roads and sidewalks, but no enforcement is taking place, raising suspicions of favoritism toward advertising companies.

In particular, illegal banners are densely hung not only along national highways and roads around Namak and Oryong but even on the railings of elementary school crosswalks, threatening the safety of young students.

The dominant analysis is that Muan-gun did not enforce regulations on apartment sale advertisement banners to attract population inflow ahead of its city elevation.

According to the Outdoor Advertising Management Act, to post advertisements such as banners, prior approval must be obtained from the relevant local government, including the exact wording of the advertisement, and even if approved, posting is only allowed on bulletin boards designated by each local government.

Exceptionally, political parties, politicians, election periods, and specific cases can post banners if they receive permission through a police assembly report separate from the county's approval.

Mr. Jeong (40), a resident of Namak, said, “Public officials are neglecting their duties,” and added, “Illegal banners are hung along national highways, roads around Namak and Oryong, and even on elementary school crosswalk railings, making it look like a lawless land.”

Mr. Choi (51), a resident of Mokpo, said, “I often go to Namak for work, and compared to other areas, there are too many banners, and torn banners fly in the wind, making the new town look unsightly,” and pointed out, “There is a risk of traffic accidents due to the indiscriminately hung banners along the roadsides, so systematic management is necessary.”

A Muan-gun official explained, “In 2018, fines were imposed several times on one company, but none have been imposed since then,” and added, “We are focusing on guidance and removal rather than enforcement.”