Forced Demolition Retry at Sarangjeil Church... Failed After 3-Hour Standoff (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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

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

About 200 believers strongly resisted by blocking the enforcement personnel's entry into the church interior with chairs and fixtures. After a standoff lasting about three hours, the enforcement personnel withdrew around 10:10 a.m. There were no major clashes, but seven people from both sides were injured during the process. They were transported to the hospital by the fire authorities present at the scene.

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

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 on grounds of decreased congregation, 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.