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Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. / Source: AsiaToday Database

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on May 23 that it is investigating 120 individuals on suspicion of damaging posters and banners related to the 21st presidential election. This figure marks nearly a threefold increase compared to the 45 cases from the previous 20th presidential race. Authorities noted that some of the suspects are minors under the age of 19.

To prevent such election-related offenses, police have deployed mobile patrol units to high-traffic areas including subway entrances, university districts, and public parks. Local precincts have also joined in coordinated patrols of designated poster locations.

Police are working in cooperation with local communities to reinforce patrols and have sent an official request to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, asking schools to inform students about the legal consequences of defacing election materials.

“A fair election process must be protected,” a police official said. “We will not overlook acts that undermine electoral integrity, and we will pursue all election-related crimes with strict enforcement of the law.”