◀ Anchor ▶
These days, even though it’s not an election season, you can see so many banners made by political parties all over the streets.
This is because the relevant laws were revised last year, and the regulations for installing banners by political parties were eased.
Citizens are also uncomfortable, and voices of concern for the environment are emerging.
Reporter Lee Jae-kyung covered the story.
◀ Report ▶
Celebration of the election, criticism of the current government, and even regional pledges.
Banners of various political parties were hung in a row between the signal and telephone poles.
Even though it’s not election season, 6 banners of political parties were hung on this crosswalk alone.
This is because, with the enforcement of the revised Outdoor archyde news Law in December of last year, there were no restrictions on the posting location, quantity, or standard when installing party banners.
[송학섭/경남 창원시 마산회원구]
“I don’t think he is doing anything for his party, not for our people.”
Not only does it damage the urban landscape, but it also obstructs visibility, and there is a risk of safety accidents from being torn or fallen by strong winds.
[이현승/창원시 광고물경관팀장]
″If you don’t cover the shopping mall, you will be hindered from walking, so you are very uncomfortable about that part.″
Environmental pollution is also a concern.
It is estimated that if political party banners are installed throughout the year without restrictions on the number, 1 million banners will be poured out nationwide.
[박종권/경남기후위기비상행동 공동대표]
″The banner is made of plastic. It is supposed to emit about 4,000 tonnes of carbon (per year), which is equivalent to cutting down 600,000 30-year-old pine trees.”
In many cases, the display period, which is the longest of about 15 days, has passed, and the local government has requested to remove it, but it is still hung, or the banner marking regulations are not observed.
Amid growing demand for institutional improvement regarding the proliferation of party banners, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security is also planning to hold a meeting with officials from 17 provinces and cities across the country to promote law revision.
This is Lee Jae-kyung from MBC News.
Video coverage: Kang Geon-gu (Gyeongnam)