Sound trucks, banners and colored jackets: election campaigns kick off

South Korea shifted into election mode Thursday, with candidates and campaigners permitted to use microphones and sound trucks for two weeks.

From Thursday until June 2, a day before the local election, eligible candidates and campaigners may use microphones and operate sound trucks for campaigning in open spaces from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to election authorities.

Screens on the trucks may remain on until 11 p.m., but loudspeakers are restricted from 9 p.m. Campaigning in South Korea is re