[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The police have completed a search and seizure operation at Sarang Jeil Church, where illegal activities such as Molotov cocktail throwing occurred. During the operation, the police secured significant evidence including homemade flamethrowers.
The dedicated investigation team of the Jongam Police Station in Seoul began the search and seizure at the church's main building and annex from 7:30 a.m. Upon the church's request to conduct the search in the presence of their legal counsel, the formal search procedure started around 9:22 a.m. The police carried out the search for over three hours until 12:45 p.m., securing documents, computer data, and CCTV footage.
To verify whether the illegal acts involved the use of certain materials, the police also found and seized gas cylinders containing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from a warehouse. Several significant pieces of evidence, including homemade flamethrowers, were discovered at the scene.
Earlier, the Jongam Police Station formed a dedicated investigation team of 18 members led by the head of the criminal division to investigate the illegal activities. Based on the evidence obtained through the search and seizure, the police plan to identify the exact identities of those involved in the illegal acts. They are also analyzing on-site documentation and video materials such as CCTV footage. The police are considering applying charges including obstruction of official duties with special circumstances and violations of the Act on Punishment of Using Molotov Cocktails (Molotov Cocktail Punishment Act).
On the early morning of the 26th of last month, at 1:20 a.m., the Seoul Northern District Court dispatched about 570 enforcement personnel to Sarang Jeil Church to carry out 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 the personnel withdrew around 8:30 a.m., after about seven hours. Several people were injured during this process.
Sarang Jeil Church had lost the first trial of an eviction lawsuit filed by the redevelopment association of Jangwi 10 District in May. With forced demolition becoming possible, the association attempted eviction twice in June, but both attempts failed due to opposition from the church members.
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