A 'Family Destruction' Exposé Banner Hanging on the Wall of a Luxury Apartment
A provocative banner with shocking phrases has been hung up in front of a high-end apartment complex in Gangnam, Seoul, which has sparked a controversy online.
The controversial banner was first released online on the 20th through the anonymous workplace community 'Blind'.
The banner reads, "Husband with two kids seduced to set up a double life, 'OOO OOO' XXX Building, Unit #mmm" and "Be careful of the home-wrecking bar mistress OOO!"
The phrases specify the building number and unit of a particular apartment complex and appear to name an individual, which could be interpreted as targeting specific individuals.
This apartment is regarded as a representative luxury residential area in Gangnam, Seoul, with reported selling prices exceeding 100 million won per pyeong.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's actual transaction disclosure system, the recent actual transaction price for a dedicated area of 84㎡ (approximately 33 pyeong) is reported to be around 3.8 to 4 billion won.
Speculations Spread to Mom Cafes… on the Rise
Since the photo of the banner was released, various online communities and local mom cafes have begun sharing suspected personal information about the individuals in question, resulting in increased repercussions. Some netizens have reacted strongly, saying, "This is truly shocking," and "It's even more surprising that someone thought to hang such a banner at the entrance of the complex."
There are also voices of concern stating, "It is dangerous to write real names and addresses," and "No matter how angry you are, we must abide by the law."
On the other hand, there are many emotional responses expressing understanding from the perspective of those whose families have been destroyed, saying, "I understand such actions from the viewpoint of someone whose family has been shattered," and "Isn’t this too much to let go quietly?"
Banner Poster May Face Defamation Charges
According to legal experts, the person who posted the banner may face criminal charges. If someone identifies a specific person and exposes their private life or defames them, they could be subject to charges under 'Article 307 (Defamation) of the Penal Code' or 'Defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.'
In fact, there have been past cases where individuals who installed similar banners were sued for defamation or received fines.
One lawyer explained, "If such a banner is displayed in a public place, it can be seen by third parties, which can lead to recognition of 'public nature' and increase the likelihood of defamation charges."
Meanwhile, this is not the first similar case. In 2022, a banner containing the real name and photo of a mistress was installed at an apartment complex in Busan, prompting a police investigation.
Experts advise that if emotional responses go too far, individuals may ultimately face legal judgment, stating, "Even if feelings of humiliation and anger are strong, it is advisable to respond through legal procedures."
Image source: Blind, Ruliweb, reference images for the article / gettyimagesbank
