Mapo-gu "Hongdae Red Road Street Mural Staff Voluntary Application"

Mapo-gu refutes reports of 'de facto forced mobilization' regarding recent news that district office employees were ordered to paint over 3,200 pictures to fill the 'Hongdae Red Road' street

The district explained that it was a voluntary painting event, with the district mayor also participating with his family, and many employees voluntarily applied, motivated by the idea that works created with their families, lovers, and friends would be exhibited in Hongdae, receiving positive responses

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) clarified on the afternoon of the 2nd that recent reports claiming the district office sent official letters ordering employees to paint over 3,200 pictures to fill the 'Hongdae Red Road' street are not true.

In a statement released that day, the district said, "We recycled discarded flower pots to install on the Red Road, creating painting boards through talent donations from students and related organizations, and installed them on the discarded flower pots." It added, "The Tourism Policy Division, the organizing department, promoted painting boards based on voluntary participation targeting employees who wished to participate, aiming to expand opportunities for street exhibitions and art production in Hongdae."

In particular, the district emphasized that the voluntary painting event included the district mayor participating with his family, and many employees voluntarily applied, encouraged by the idea that works created with their families, lovers, and friends would be exhibited in Hongdae, receiving positive responses.

The district disclosed the related official letter, explaining that a survey was conducted among employees wishing to exhibit their works, detailing the participation method, how to identify participants (applicants), and submission deadlines, to avoid misunderstandings about coercion. It also refuted claims by stating that the head of the Tourism Policy Division, who approved the letter, was not acting under any directive from the district mayor.

Song Sang-ah, the team leader in charge of the Hongdae Red Road project, explained, "Mapo-gu is always considering ways to improve residents' quality of life with limited resources. This idea project started with the purpose of saving budget by collecting large flower pots left around the streets of Mapo-gu and gathering paintings that reflect residents' dreams to recycle them."

She added, "Therefore, we recruited participants from educational institutions within Mapo-gu (daycare centers, schools, academies), related organizations (cultural centers, art associations, etc.), and the general public, collecting paintings that express their dreams and hearts."

She continued, "We only requested participation from willing employees through official letters, and there was no forced or coercive mobilization for painting. Participation was voluntary, as clearly stated in the official letter."

A department head in Mapo-gu, identified as A, told reporters, "It's quite fun to go to the Hongdae Red Road and find my own artwork."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.