By Jung Min-ho
Hundreds of leaflets critical of President Park Geun-hye were found on trails near a reservoir in Gwangju, police said Monday.
The discovery came as police are investigating who was responsible for similar leaflets found in other cities, including Seoul, Daegu and Busan, in recent weeks.
According to Gwangju Seobu Police Station, police collected some 300 leaflets in western Gwangju after receiving a call at 6:50 a.m. The leaflets contain an image of the President wearing a kimono.
In the background is a picture of the sinking of the Sewol ferry, and writing that states the President “is a beautiful woman causing the downfall of a country.”
Police are looking at surveillance camera footage from the area to find the person behind the mess.
They said the perpetrator could face charges of violating the outdoor advertisements and anti-littering laws.
In January, police found 20 leaflets ridiculing the President at a restroom in Gwangju Airport.
Police suspect the leaflets were distributed by activists who have organized protests against Park.
However, critics say punishing people for this would be a violation of freedom of speech.
In fact, the state-run National Human Rights Commission recently backed anti-North Korea groups sending leaflets across the Korean border, saying their activities should be protected under freedom of speech.
But the agency has taken no position on the anti-Park leaflets.