The Fifth Eviction Enforcement at Sarangjeil Church... Failed Again

On the 5th, enforcement officers from the Seoul Northern District Court attempted to enter Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu for the 5th eviction execution. Sarang Jeil Church has been in conflict with the redevelopment association over demolition issues.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seung-jin] The fifth eviction enforcement against Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, has once again failed.

According to the court, the Seoul Northern District Court sent about 300 enforcement personnel around 2 p.m. on the 5th to carry out a forced eviction targeting the church facilities. However, due to the fierce resistance from the believers, the personnel were eventually withdrawn around 6:40 p.m.

Hundreds of believers gathered upon hearing the enforcement news that day. The police deployed about 500 officers from 9 units in preparation for possible clashes during the enforcement process.

The believers sprayed fire extinguishers at a hydraulic excavator and other heavy equipment that were building an earthen fortress at a construction site adjacent to the church’s outer wall. One man was arrested by the police while attempting to cut the hydraulic line of the excavator. Some believers also shot steel balls with slingshots at the excavator operators.

Overwhelmed by the strong resistance, the security staff stopped their work, and the heavy equipment was withdrawn around 6:40 p.m. Since administrative enforcement cannot be carried out after sunset, the enforcement was ultimately withdrawn without even starting.

Sarang Jeil Church, located in Jangwi 10 District of Seongbuk-gu, has opposed redevelopment due to issues such as compensation. They rejected the court’s proposed settlement of approximately 15 billion KRW in compensation.

Last month, Sarang Jeil Church lost both the first trial and the appeal in a building delivery lawsuit filed by the Jangwi 10 District Housing Redevelopment Maintenance Project Association.

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