Political banners of the Democratic Party of Korea, all in blue, posted at an intersection in Janggi-dong, Gimpo City. [Photo by Reporter Jeong Woo-seok]

Controversy is brewing in Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province, as evidence of a large number of political banners belonging to the Democratic Party of Korea being posted has been spotted from December 26 last year to the present date of January 2.

Current outdoor advertising regulations stipulate that a maximum of two political banners per political party are allowed per dong (neighborhood), but the field has repeatedly witnessed these regulations being effectively nullified, leading to a barrage of criticism from citizens.

Democratic Party, Which Advocated Law and Justice, Violates Regulations First 

It has been confirmed that more than 10 banners were posted along major roads, including large intersections and main thoroughfares, in Unyang-dong, Gimpo City. In the adjacent Janggi-dong, more than six banners were observed to be consecutively installed along the main road sections.

Furthermore, it is pointed out that with additional banners posted in "hidden places" such as side streets, alleys, between buildings, and behind intersections within the same dong, it is highly likely that dozens of banners have effectively been erected in one dong, while only superficially complying with regulations.

The seriousness of this behavior is amplified by the fact that it has been perpetrated by a force that has previously criticized other parties and conservative factions, while championing "law and justice."

Those who have condemned illegality and circumvention of rules under the guise of political justification have, in essence, covered major roads and alleys with banners in a way that undermines the purpose of the law for their own political promotion.

This can be interpreted not merely as an administrative violation, but as a case that reveals the duality of their attitude towards the law itself.

Citizens Criticize: "Do They Have the Right to Claim Moral Superiority?" 

The act of speaking about lawfulness without abiding by it, and shouting for justice while disregarding principles, has already become a familiar scene among the public. It is pointed out that this banner issue is likely to be recorded as a typical example of "my way or the highway politics."

One citizen sharply remarked, "They immediately lash out at the slightest possibility of a violation by other parties, but remain silent about their own organized and repeated violations. With such an attitude, they cannot claim any moral superiority."

Another citizen criticized, "The law must be proven through action, not just words. I question whether political forces that do not abide by it have the right to speak of fairness and justice."

By Reporter Jeong Woo-seok