Election Campaign Vehicles Illegally Parked on Traffic Islands Spark Public Outcry

The ongoing local elections in South Korea have been marred by a growing number of complaints regarding the illegal parking of campaign vehicles. Citizens are expressing frustration over vehicles belonging to political parties, particularly the People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea, occupying pedestrian traffic islands and crosswalks, creating hazards and inconveniences.

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Is it permissible to illegally park on a traffic island where pedestrians walk and campaign?

Online communities have become a platform for citizens to voice their grievances, sharing photos and accounts of campaign cars obstructing traffic and blocking visibility for drivers, especially those making right turns. One post on a Paju community board highlighted a vehicle with a People Power Party candidate's poster parked on a traffic island, questioning the legality and safety of such actions. Similarly, a post on the Democratic Party's Gyeongnam provincial chapter bulletin board criticized vehicles parked across sidewalks and crosswalks during peak commute hours, warning of potential traffic accidents.

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Please remove the election campaign vehicles. Illegal parking causes traffic accidents.

While South Korea's Road Traffic Act clearly prohibits parking in specific areas like intersections and crosswalks, the enforcement during election periods appears to be more lenient. Local governments and police often recommend the relocation of these vehicles rather than issuing fines, acknowledging the special circumstances of election campaigning. However, this leniency has led to a perception among the public that campaign vehicles are exempt from traffic laws, sparking anger and calls for stricter adherence to regulations.

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Do election campaign vehicles get to ignore traffic laws?