Rules get tougher for ads in subways, buses

By Jung Min-ho

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) plans to strengthen ordinances governing advertisements in public places.

The city government said Tuesday that it published guidelines regarding advertisements displayed at public facilities, including underground shopping centers, stadiums, subways and buses.

Under these, advertisements should be placed in consideration of their backgrounds.

For example, advertisements on the walls of underground passages should match the walls’ color schemes and materials. For their placement, advertisers and SMG officials also have to consider the lines of the bricks, if they are brick walls.

The guideline is part of SMG’s project of promoting the city’s design industry, which is known as Design Seoul.

“It is expected to help the city set up a more pleasant environment for Seoul citizens and eventually improve the quality of their lives,” the SMG said in a statement. “We will continue to improve the guidelines by conducting research and listening to the voices of people.”

The SMG will provide information about laws and regulations with regard to outdoor advertising and their contents.

More specific information about the guidelines can be found on its website.