Police Conduct Search and Seizure at Sarang Jeil Church for 'Obstruction of Eviction Enforcement'

The third eviction enforcement at Seongbuk-gu Sarang Jeil Church was halted after about seven hours. According to the police on the 26th, approximately 570 enforcement personnel from the Seoul Northern District Court attempted a forced execution on the church facilities starting around 1 a.m., but withdrew around 8:30 a.m. due to resistance from the congregation. The photo shows the Sarang Jeil Church on that day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The police are attempting to conduct a search and seizure on Sarang Jeil Church, which committed illegal acts such as throwing Molotov cocktails while obstructing the court's eviction enforcement.

According to the police on the 1st, the dedicated investigation team of the Jongam Police Station in Seoul has been attempting to execute a search and seizure warrant on the church's main building and annex since 7:30 a.m. this morning. A total of 45 police officers have been deployed on site. The police plan to proceed with the full search and seizure procedure under the presence of the church's legal counsel as soon as the lawyer arrives.

Through the search and seizure, the police aim to secure evidence related to the illegal acts that occurred during the eviction enforcement and, based on this, accurately identify the personal information of those involved in the illegal activities. The police are also analyzing on-site evidence collection materials and CCTV footage.

Earlier, the Jongam Police Station formed a dedicated investigation team of 18 members, led by the head of the criminal division, and launched an investigation into the illegal acts that occurred during the eviction enforcement at Sarang Jeil Church. The police believe that most of the participants are affiliated with Sarang Jeil Church and are considering applying charges such as obstruction of official duties and violations of the Act on Punishment of Molotov Cocktail Use (Molotov Cocktail Punishment Act).

The Seoul Northern District Court sent about 570 enforcement personnel to Sarang Jeil Church at around 1:20 a.m. on the 26th of last month to attempt forced execution on the church facilities. However, when church officials strongly resisted by throwing Molotov cocktails and dousing themselves with flammable substances, the enforcement was temporarily suspended and withdrawn at around 8:30 a.m., seven hours later. Several people were injured during this process.

Sarang Jeil Church lost the first trial of the eviction lawsuit filed by the Jangwi 10 District Redevelopment Association in May. With forced eviction becoming possible, the association attempted eviction enforcement twice in June, but both attempts failed due to opposition from the church members.