Jongno-gu Executes Administrative Action on 13 Illegal Tents Around Hyoja-dong Sarangchae

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) carried out an administrative enforcement on the morning of the 13th to remove a total of 13 illegally installed protest tents around Cheongwadae Sarangchae (150 Hyoja-dong, Jongno-gu).

Nine organizations, including the Pan-National Struggle Headquarters, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, the Emergency Action for the Abolition of the National Security Law, and the Christian Council of Korea, had illegally set up tents and other structures on roads and sidewalks near Cheongwadae Sarangchae and had been continuing their sit-in protests.

Due to the prolonged protests, nearby residents and parents of students at the Seoul School for the Blind experienced noise and traffic inconveniences. Despite the district’s requests to refrain from holding protests out of concern for the spread of COVID-19, the protests continued.

Accordingly, the district sent multiple warning notices to each organization requesting the voluntary removal of the illegal tents and facilities, but since voluntary removal was not carried out, the enforcement was conducted on this day.

About 500 people, including Jongno-gu office employees and contracted workers, were mobilized for this enforcement, along with 17 trucks and 2 forklifts. Approximately 1,000 police officers were deployed to prevent physical clashes.

Additionally, 7 ambulances, 1 ambulance minibus, 1 fire truck, and about 100 firefighters were dispatched to the site to prepare for any safety accidents.

After the enforcement, the district deployed 3 cleaning trucks, 2 water cleaning trucks, and 1 disinfection vehicle to organize the site and carry out disinfection.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “Residents have suffered many inconveniences such as restricted free passage due to the illegal tents occupying the road without permission. We will respond strictly according to the law to any unauthorized occupation or use of facilities.”

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