Sarangjeil Church Press Conference on the 2nd
"Security Guards Threw Molotov Cocktails and Roof Tiles" Claims
Legal Team "Will Sue Jongam Police Chief and National Police Chief for Biased Investigation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] On the 2nd, Sarang Jeil Church reiterated its previous claim that the illegal acts such as the throwing of Molotov cocktails during the eviction enforcement process were carried out by the security personnel mobilized by the union at a press conference. Sarang Jeil Church also warned that if a biased investigation is conducted against the church, it will take legal action against the National Police Agency Commissioner and others in the future.
The joint legal team of Sarang Jeil Church held a press conference in front of Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, in the morning and stated, "During the eviction enforcement process, the security personnel came carrying three fire extinguishers each, along with steel pipes and plenty of oil, and indiscriminately threw hundreds of roof tiles from above along with Molotov cocktails."
They also claimed that the eviction enforcement procedure was not properly followed, saying, "On the 26th of last month, during the eviction enforcement, the court completely ignored the enforcement document and the enforcement procedure, and started deploying security personnel with 800 security guards and about 500 police officers."
Regarding the report that a flame thrower was found inside the church during the raid the day before, the legal team said, "It is a lie that the church had prepared it in advance. The correct term is not a flame thrower but a power sprayer or high-pressure sprayer."
They urged, "The Jongam Police Station should immediately stop the clear biased investigation, such as registering only Sarang Jeil Church officials as suspects and conducting raids," and demanded a thorough investigation into who mobilized the security personnel and who gave the orders.
They also warned, "The church will file criminal complaints against the union leader and the judicial scrivener, and if only the church continues to be investigated after this time, the head of Jongam Police Station and the National Police Agency Commissioner will also be sued for dereliction of duty."
On the 26th of last month, at around 1:20 a.m., the Seoul Northern District Court sent about 570 enforcement personnel to Sarang Jeil Church to attempt a forced eviction of the church facilities. However, as church officials strongly resisted by throwing Molotov cocktails and dousing themselves with flammable substances, the enforcement was temporarily suspended and the personnel withdrew at around 8:30 a.m., seven hours later. Several people were injured during this process.
The Jongam Police Station in Seoul has formed a special investigation team of 18 members led by the head of the criminal division to investigate the illegal acts that occurred at the church. The police conducted a raid on the church’s main and annex buildings the day before, securing documents, computer data, and CCTV footage.
Sarang Jeil Church previously claimed that "gangster security personnel threw roof tiles at the church parking lot and buildings, damaging church property, and destroyed vehicles parked on the access road with a backhoe," and argued that the Molotov cocktails were not thrown by church officials but that the enforcement was a violent operation filled with unspeakable illegal acts such as attempting arson by throwing Molotov cocktails first. However, the police have secured significant evidence such as homemade flame throwers during the raid the day before. To verify whether they were used in illegal acts, the police also found and seized gas cylinders containing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in a warehouse.
The police plan to identify the exact identities of those involved in the illegal acts based on the evidence obtained. They are also analyzing on-site evidence and video materials such as CCTV footage. The police are considering applying charges such as obstruction of official duties and violations of the Act on Punishment of Acts of Firebombing (Molotov Cocktail Punishment Act).
Sarang Jeil Church lost the first trial of the eviction lawsuit filed by the Jangwi 10 District Redevelopment Union in May. With forced demolition becoming possible, the union attempted eviction enforcement twice in June, but both attempts were thwarted by the opposition of the church members.
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