Seoul City Forces Removal of Tent Protest 'Judgment on Jeon Du-hwan' at Gwanghwamun Square

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government carried out an administrative enforcement to dismantle an illegal protest tent installed by the civic group 'Jeon Du-hwan Simpan Gukmin Haengdong' at Gwanghwamun Square.

Seoul announced the administrative enforcement on the 11th and began dismantling one tent and protest materials around 7:45 a.m. on the 12th. The dismantling work was completed around 8:30 a.m., about 45 minutes later.

Last December, the group installed a statue and a tent at Gwanghwamun Square urging the arrest and investigation of former President Jeon Du-hwan. The statue depicted the former president wearing a prison uniform, kneeling, and trapped behind bars.

In January, Seoul sent a warning letter to Jeon Du-hwan Simpan Gukmin Haengdong to remove the tent and statue. The group voluntarily dismantled the statue on the 4th but did not remove the tent, prompting Seoul to proceed with administrative enforcement.

Fifteen Seoul city officials were deployed at the dismantling site, along with about 40 police officers and 10 firefighters to handle any emergencies and maintain order, as well as one ambulance.

Seoul plans to impose fines on the group for illegal occupation.

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, Seoul and Jongno-gu jointly carried out administrative enforcement to dismantle seven tents and protest materials installed by four groups, including the Moon Jae-in Resignation National Struggle Headquarters (Beomtu-bon) and the late Moon Jung-won Jockey Citizens' Countermeasure Committee, on Sejong-daero in Gwanghwamun.

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