'Bapfor' Facing Demolition Threat Officially Files Objection with Dongdaemun District Office

Claiming Building Expansion Was an Administrative Act by District Officials
"Imposing a Fine on the Foundation Is Illegal"

[Asia Economy, Reporter Gong Byungseon] The Dail Community Welfare Foundation, which operates the free meal service "Bapfor" and is facing the threat of forced demolition, has officially filed an objection with the Dongdaemun District Office in Seoul. The foundation argues that the district office and related officials have implicitly approved the expansion of its building, making the district office the actual party responsible for the construction. Therefore, they claim it is illegal for the district office to shift responsibility onto the foundation.

On the 27th, the Dail Community Welfare Foundation announced that it had submitted a written opinion to the Dongdaemun District Office that afternoon under the name of its chairman, Choi Il-do. On December 12, the foundation was fined approximately 283 million won by the district office for the alleged illegal expansion. The district office set the deadline for submitting objections to the fine as the same day.

The Dail Community Welfare Foundation pointed out that the actual party responsible for the expansion was the Dongdaemun District Office. They argued that the expansion had been carried out with the continued tacit approval of the district office and related officials. The foundation stated, "The expansion was clearly carried out under the direction and on-site encouragement of former Dongdaemun District Mayor Yoo Deok-ryeol, as well as the subsequent approval of its legality by relevant officials." Additionally, they reportedly submitted a video as evidence showing former Mayor Yoo stating during a street Christmas service held by the foundation on December 24, "During my tenure as mayor, I allowed the expansion for the convenience of Bapfor users."

The Dail Community Welfare Foundation maintains that the district office was the administrative authority responsible, yet the responsibility has been shifted elsewhere. In its written opinion, the foundation stated, "Just as a verbal order from a traffic police officer constitutes an administrative act, the public directive by former Mayor Yoo regarding the expansion of the subject building, along with the tacit approval of relevant officials, clearly constitutes an administrative act under the law. If the expansion is deemed illegal, then the responsibility lies with the actual party to the act, the district office. Therefore, imposing a fine on the foundation is itself illegal."

Meanwhile, the Dail Community Welfare Foundation, which has operated Bapfor for the homeless for 35 years, is now facing the threat of forced demolition. The district office issued two correction orders for the building on October 4 and November 15, citing the foundation's illegal expansion, and has recently imposed a fine as well.

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