Attempted Forced Demolition of Sarangjeil Church... Congregants and Enforcement Personnel in Standoff

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The eviction enforcement of Sarang Jeil Church in Jangwi-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, which was once halted due to opposition from the believers, has resumed.

According to the police on the 22nd, around 7 a.m., about 600 enforcement personnel from the Seoul Northern District Court began a forced execution on the church facilities. Sarang Jeil Church is where Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon serves as the head pastor.

About 200 believers are resisting by blocking the enforcement personnel's entry into the church interior with chairs and furniture. Although there were no major clashes, about 6 to 7 injuries occurred on both sides during the process.

Sarang Jeil Church lost the eviction lawsuit filed by the Jangwi 10 District Redevelopment Association last month. An eviction lawsuit is a legal action in which a real estate right holder demands the occupant of the property to vacate it, and if eviction is not carried out, the right holder can proceed with forced execution.

Accordingly, the association proceeded with forced demolition against Sarang Jeil Church, which occupies the property. Previously, the association attempted eviction enforcement on the 5th but postponed it due to opposition from the believers.

Sarang Jeil Church demanded compensation of 56.3 billion won citing reasons such as a decrease in church members, financial losses, and construction costs for a new church building, but the Seoul Land Expropriation Committee assessed the compensation at 8.2 billion won.

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