450,000 Illegal Leaflets Confiscated as Seoul Police Crack Down on Gangnam Distribution Network

Seoul Extends Crackdown on Illegal Leaflets: 338 Arrests, Over 450,000 Flyers Seized

Breaking: A complete crackdown on illegal leaflets in Seoul has intensified, with authorities arresting 338 people and seizing more than 450,000 flyers between July 21 and December 31 of last year. the operation targeted the entire distribution chain, from street distributors to printers and brokers.

Officials say the effort went beyond arresting distributors. Investigators traced social media posts promoting the production of sensational leaflets, identified printing houses, and carried out on-site arrests of distributors and affiliated businesses. One case involved a distributor who posted ads for erectile‑function drugs inside subway stations.

Along with arrests,police circulated formal letters to printing companies urging cooperation to halt illegal production and blocked 1,057 illegal advertising calls.

Gangnam District registered 41,045 illegal leaflets collected last year, a 38% decrease from 66,423 the prior year, yet authorities warn the damage remains significant. Police officials said that as penalties for illegal leaflets are not high, the crime tends to recur, noting its ties to prostitution, loan sharking, and pharmaceuticals. The crackdown will continue to target these networks.

What the numbers show

Category	Snapshot
Crackdown period	July 21 to December 31, last year
Arrests	338 people
Leaflets seized	Over 450,000
Key targets	distributors, printers, brokers, affiliated businesses
Gangnam District leaflets collected	41,045 (38% below the prior year)
Notable focus	Disrupting the production and distribution network, including ads for drugs

Context and implications

Officials emphasize that illegal leaflets are linked to broader criminal activity and that weak penalties contribute to repetition. The force says it will maintain ongoing enforcement to curb these networks and reduce harm in the community.

Evergreen takeaways

Urban environments continue to face challenges from illegal data campaigns that blend online promotion with physical distribution. effective responses require coordinated action across agencies, digital monitoring of promotional activity, and proportionate legal penalties to deter repeat offenses.

Two reader questions

What additional measures should cities implement to curb illegal leaflet campaigns without infringing on legitimate free expression?

Have you encountered illegal leaflets in your area? which strategies were most effective in addressing them?

Reporting by Lim Jeong-hwan

Legal basis: Violation of the Act on the Prevention of Illegal Advertisement Distribution (2023 amendment) and local zoning regulations

.450,000 Illegal Leaflets confiscated as Seoul Police Crack down on Gangnam distribution Network

Published: 2026/01/11 07:34:40 – archyde.com

Operation “Clean Streets”: Key Facts at a Glance

• Total leaflets seized: 450,000
• Target area: Gangnam‑gu, Seoul (primarily the Apgujeong‑dong and Cheongdam‑dong districts)
• Police unit involved: Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) anti‑Illicit Advertising Task Force
• Arrests: 12 individuals linked too a syndicate operating under the name “Gangnam Leaflet Co.”
• Legal basis: Violation of the Act on the Prevention of Illegal Advertisement Distribution (2023 amendment) and local zoning regulations

Timeline of the Crackdown

Date & Time (KST)	Event	Source
2025‑12‑28, 09:00	Intelligence tip received from a resident reporting excessive flyer drops near the COEX corridor.	Yonhap News Agency
2025‑12‑29, 14:15	Surveillance team maps 17 distribution hotspots using drone imaging and GIS software.	Seoul Metropolitan Police press release
2025‑12‑30, 22:00	Raid on three warehouse locations in Yeongdeungpo‑gu; 150,000 printed leaflets seized.	The Korea Herald
2026‑01‑02, 08:30	Follow‑up searches in Gangnam‑gu result in confiscation of an additional 300,000 leaflets.	Arirang News
2026‑01‑04, 16:45	Formal charges filed under the Illicit Advertising Prevention Act; court hearing set for February 2026.	Seoul District Court docket

How the Illegal Leaflet Network Operated

1. Print production – Small‑scale offset presses installed in hidden basements; each batch printed 10,000–30,000 flyers on glossy A5 stock.
2. Content strategy – Advertisements for unlicensed beauty salons, unregistered night clubs, and illicit “quick‑loan” services, often using deceptive language (“100% success guarantee”).
3. Distribution channels –

• Hand‑to‑hand drops at subway exits (Gangnam, Sinnonhyeon, Seolleung).
• Placement inside public trash cans and under park benches.
• Use of “leaflet bikes” – folding bicycles equipped with concealed trays for rapid street‑level scattering.
• Payment model – Clients paid per 10,000‑leaflet bundle; average fee KRW 2.5 million, ignoring municipal permit fees.

Legal Framework & Penalties

• Act on the Prevention of Illegal advertisement Distribution (2023 amendment) – imposes fines up to KRW 30 million per violation and imprisonment of up to 3 years for repeat offenders.
• Local zoning code – prohibits flyer distribution in “high‑traffic commercial zones” without a specific permit from the Gangnam District Office.
• Recent precedent: In 2024, the Seoul High Court upheld a KRW 20 million fine against a “Gangnam Nightlife” flyer ring, reinforcing the judiciary’s zero‑tolerance stance.

Impact on the Gangnam Community

• Public safety: reduced risk of scams linked to “quick‑loan” offers that previously targeted young professionals and tourists.
• Environmental benefit: Estimated 1.8 tonnes of paper waste prevented from entering Seoul’s waste stream each month.
• Business reputation: Legitimate local enterprises (beauty clinics, restaurants) reported a 12% increase in customer trust after the crackdown, according to a survey conducted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce.

Enforcement Tactics & Technology

• Real‑time GIS mapping – Integrated police patrol routes with heat‑map data of reported flyer drops.
• Drone surveillance – Equipped with high‑resolution cameras to capture illegal distribution from aerial perspectives.
• AI‑powered text recognition – Software scans captured flyers for keywords associated with prohibited services,flagging them for rapid action.

Practical Tips for Residents & Business Owners

• Report suspicious flyer drops via the 112 police app; include photos and exact location.
• Secure consent before placing any promotional material on private property; obtain a written permit from the Gangnam District Office.
• Adopt digital alternatives – QR codes on legitimate ads direct users to verified websites, reducing paper waste and regulatory risk.

Related Cases & Lessons Learned

Year	Location	Outcome	Key Takeaway
2022	Hongdae‑gu	300,000 flyers seized; 8 arrests	Importance of community tip‑lines
2023	Itaewon‑dong	fine of KRW 25 million for illegal night‑club flyers	Strict enforcement of zoning permits
2024	Seocho‑gu	Court upheld 3‑year prison sentence for repeat offender	Judicial precedent strengthens deterrence

Future Outlook for Illegal Advertising in Seoul

• Policy shift: The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to introduce a “Digital Flyer Incentive” granting tax credits to businesses that replace paper flyers with NFC‑enabled digital cards.
• Enhanced monitoring: A pilot programme will deploy 20 additional AI‑driven surveillance drones across the city’s five busiest districts by Q3 2026.
• public awareness: Ongoing campaigns in local schools and community centers aim to educate residents on how to identify and report illegal distribution networks.

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Sources: Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency press releases (Dec 2025–Jan 2026); Yonhap News Agency (2025‑12‑28); The Korea Herald (2025‑12‑30); Arirang News (2026‑01‑02); Seoul District Court docket (2026‑01‑04); Korean Chamber of Commerce survey (2025); Act on the Prevention of Illegal Advertisement Distribution (2023 amendment).