Police open investigation into vandalism of banner welcoming new Democratic Party leader

Police have launched an investigation after a banner congratulating Kim Min-seok on his election as leader of the Democratic Party of Korea was found vandalized.

According to the Sacheon Police Station, the banner — erected near Mannam Square in Chukdong-myeon, Sacheon, under the name "Sacheon Si Minsarang" — was discovered Monday at around 10:44 a.m. with both of Kim's eyes cut out.

The banner bore the message "Heartfelt congratulations on your election as party leader, Kim Min-seok!" alongside a printed image of Kim smiling.

A nearby banner featuring Hwang Jae-eun, the Democratic Party's regional committee chair for the Sacheon-Namhae-Hadong district, was also found with the eyes similarly damaged.

The Democratic Party's South Gyeongsang Province chapter and the Sacheon-Namhae-Hadong regional committee filed a report and submitted a formal complaint to the Sacheon Police Station.

"We plan to identify the suspect through witness statements and analysis of nearby closed-circuit television footage," a police official said.

Police said they would pursue property damage charges rather than a violation of the Public Official Election Act, given that no election is currently under way.