Sarangjeil Church-Union Conflict Enters 3rd Year... Repeated Failures in Eviction Enforcement

The 6th Forced Eviction Attempt at Sarang Jeil Church Fails Again
Repeated Resistance from Congregants Against Enforcement
If Not Completed This Month, Could Extend Beyond the Year... Prolonged Dispute Expected

Regarding the demolition issue, the court took the sixth eviction enforcement action on the 15th against Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, which has been in conflict with the redevelopment association. Church members are confronting the enforcement personnel on utility poles and the roof. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The conflict between Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and the redevelopment association over the church demolition issue has been ongoing for three years.

According to the Seoul Northern District Court on the 16th, the court sent about 500 enforcement personnel from around 3:15 a.m. the previous day to carry out the sixth eviction enforcement on the church facilities, but they returned without success once again. This was due to the fierce resistance from the gathered church members upon hearing the news of the forced execution.

At the scene, church members clashed with security company employees, throwing stones and spraying fire extinguisher powder. During this process, seven people were arrested on the spot on charges of assaulting police officers (obstruction of official duties), and nine people sustained various injuries, with some being transported to hospitals. The police had deployed about 500 officers in preparation for possible clashes during the enforcement. The fire department also deployed about 110 personnel and equipment in case of emergencies, and about ten district office officials were present at the site.

Jeon Kwang-hoon, the senior pastor of Sarang Jeil Church who visited the scene, stated, "Even if we have to enter 10 times, 1,000 times, or 10,000 times, we will reclaim the church," and added, "Those who illegally entered today, including some individuals, police, and security representatives, will definitely be punished."

The court took the sixth eviction action on the 15th against Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, which has been in conflict with the redevelopment association over demolition issues. Church members are protesting in the alley leading to the church. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Jangwi 10 District in Seongbuk-gu was designated as a redevelopment promotion zone in 2006, and most residents have relocated. However, Sarang Jeil Church, located in the middle of this area, has opposed the redevelopment due to issues such as compensation.

The Jangwi 10 District Housing Redevelopment Maintenance Project Association, the real estate rights holder, won both the first trial and the appeal in the building delivery lawsuit. Accordingly, they attempted forced execution three times last year and three times this year, but all attempts failed due to the opposition of church members. During the eviction enforcement last year, violent incidents occurred, including church members throwing Molotov cocktails, resulting in three church officials being sent to the prosecution in custody.

The church filed an objection to the forced mediation proposal presented by the Seoul High Court in the eviction lawsuit filed by the association, and in August, they rejected the court's compensation proposal of approximately 15 billion KRW. Previously, Sarang Jeil Church demanded compensation of 56 billion KRW, which is seven times higher than the appraisal value of 8.2 billion KRW measured by the Seoul City Land Expropriation Committee.

According to Seoul City guidelines, eviction enforcement is difficult during the winter months from December to February. If enforcement is not carried out within this month, the issue is likely to be prolonged again, extending into the next year.

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