Our Republican Party Fully Pays for Reception Expenses at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul City

On June 25 last year, Seoul city employees and contractors were dismantling the Our Republican Party's tent at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Osangdo] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has collected the full amount of over 260 million won in tent removal fees and other charges from the Our Republican Party, which had installed protest tents and incense altars at Gwanghwamun Square. This comes 192 days after the first administrative enforcement.

According to Seoul City on the 5th, the Our Republican Party transferred over 110 million won for the second administrative enforcement costs to the city on the 2nd. With this, the party has fully paid the city a total of over 267 million won, including the first administrative enforcement cost of over 150 million won already paid and a compensation fee of 3.89 million won for unauthorized occupation of Gwanghwamun Square. Nearly 200 days have passed since the first administrative enforcement on June 25 last year.

The Our Republican Party first installed protest tents and incense altars at Gwanghwamun Square on May 10 last year. They endured for 46 days until the first administrative enforcement. Even immediately after the first enforcement, they set up tents again in the square.

On July 16, when the second administrative enforcement was announced, they voluntarily removed the tents. However, the city charged some of the costs incurred during the preparation for the second enforcement. The Our Republican Party continued their tent protests by relocating to different places afterward.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has maintained a tough stance against the Our Republican Party. It filed a damages lawsuit and even showed signs of seizing the party’s bank accounts.

The Our Republican Party opposed the city’s damages lawsuit, claiming that "the administrative enforcement was an illegal execution, so the cost claims are also illegal," but it appears they ultimately chose to pay.

Seoul City is reportedly considering withdrawing the lawsuit against the Our Republican Party. A city official stated, "Going forward, Seoul will continue to strictly respond to the management of Gwanghwamun Square in accordance with laws and principles."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.