Attempt to Dismantle Last Protest Site at Former Noryangjin Fish Market... Confrontation with Merchants

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A standoff continues between the Suhyup (Korea Fisheries Cooperative) and the merchants of the old Noryangjin Fish Market in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, over the final demolition of the protest site at Noryangjin Station, the merchants' last stronghold.

On the 16th, according to the Suhyup Central Association and the Old Noryangjin Fish Market Citizens' Countermeasure Committee, Suhyup began procedures to dismantle the protest site installed at the retail building of the old market from 5 a.m., mobilizing Suhyup employees and security company staff.

The conflict between the two sides began in 2012 when Suhyup, the owner of Noryangjin Fish Market, initiated the construction of a new market under the pretext of 'modernizing the fish market,' and it continues to this day.

While Suhyup's position is to demolish the aging old market and create a new market to improve the hygiene issues of Noryangjin Fish Market, the old market merchants have refused to move in, citing the high rent and limited sales space of the new market.

The conflict, which escalated to legal battles, was eventually settled when the court ruled in favor of Suhyup. The Supreme Court upheld the original ruling in Suhyup's lawsuit against the old market merchants for building delivery and unjust enrichment claims.

Accordingly, Suhyup has demolished all shops through ten eviction executions from 2017 to last year, with over 150 related complaints and accusations filed during the process. Meanwhile, the merchants have set up a protest site at the entrance of Noryangjin Station, urging for a resolution.

However, due to strong opposition from the merchants, no full-scale demolition had taken place by 10 a.m. on the day, and both sides remain in a standoff.

A Dongjak-gu Office official explained, "The procedures were carried out according to the law."

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