A public fixture in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, before (left) and after the installation of anti-adhesion covers. [Gangdong-gu]
A public fixture in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, before (left) and after the installation of anti-adhesion covers. [Gangdong-gu]

Gangdong-gu announced Saturday it has installed anti-adhesion covers on 179 public fixtures along Cheonho-daero and the commercial district around Cheonho Rodeo Street to curb illegal advertising.

"The aim is to stop the proliferation of illegal advertisements that damage the urban landscape and cause inconvenience to residents," a district official said. "Posters, flyers and stickers are difficult to remove and leave behind adhesive residue that dirties public fixtures and detracts from the appearance of the streets."

The district focused its installation efforts on roadside public fixtures — utility poles, traffic signals and road signs — in areas with heavy foot traffic and frequent complaints about illegal postings.

The covers are coated with a special textured sheet designed to prevent adhesives from bonding. Any advertisements that do stick can be removed cleanly without leaving a trace.

Gangdong-gu has been rolling out the covers in phases, fitting 133 locations along Godeok-ro and other roads in 2024 and 361 locations along Gucheonmyeon-ro and elsewhere in 2025.

"By focusing on commercial areas with high foot traffic and frequent illegal-advertising complaints, we expect to see a meaningful improvement in both the urban landscape and the pedestrian environment," district chief Lee Su-hee said.


ken@heraldcorp.com