[Anchor]
Wreaths, traditionally used to offer congratulations or condolences, are now frequently appearing at protest sites. Using wreaths to express political views is establishing itself as a new culture. However, local governments tasked with clearing them away are reportedly grappling with deep concerns.
Reporter Je Hui-won has the story.
[Reporter]
Last week, around 200 funeral wreaths lined up in front of the entrance to the Yongsan Children's Garden in Seoul.
These wreaths were sent by citizens opposed to designating the surrounding area as a new housing development site.
Citizens encountering clusters of chrysanthemums, a symbol of mourning, in unexpected places expressed mixed reactions.
[Citizen A / Woman in her 20s: It is a bit bewildering. Since I came here to see an exhibition, I wonder if it really had to be done here.]
[Citizen B / Woman in her 20s: Freedom of expression exists, so I suppose it is fine to put them here.]
Meanwhile, 125 wreaths that filled the street in front of Baejae High School amid controversy over the disparagement of the May 18 Democratization Movement were collected by the Gangdong-gu Office early last month and are currently stored in a warehouse.
The fresh flowers have already withered, and the colorful plastic artificial flowers have faded, but under current regulations, they cannot be immediately disposed of or handed over to recycling companies.
They were initially collected using manpower and budget after being deemed illegal obstacles under the Road Act. However, in such cases, they must be stored for one month following a website announcement in preparation for the owners coming forward to claim them.
[Official at Gangdong-gu Office, Seoul: We received many civil complaints. People asked, 'Why did you remove them?' On the other hand, others called repeatedly to protest, saying, 'It is dangerous, so please remove them quickly.']
As wreaths settle in as a method of expressing political opinions, companies advertising delivery within hours have even emerged, leaving local governments deeply troubled.
Some local governments argue that wreaths should be regarded as a form of outdoor advertisement. While current laws designate advertisements installed without permission or reporting as illegal, interpretations remain ambiguous as to whether wreaths can be included among regulated items.
[Kim Yoon-tae, Professor of Sociology at Korea University: While they can be seen as having public utility characteristics, they also pursue very private interests and represent partisan interests. Therefore, I believe standardized guidelines for protest wreaths can be presented.]
Experts point out that clear criteria are needed to reduce public inconvenience without infringing upon freedom of expression.
(Reported by Bae Moon-san | Video edited by Kim Ho-jin | Design by Lee Ga-jin)
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