Conflict Between Incheon District Court and Service Company Employees
Conservative Group Members Also Gather
The court attempted a forced eviction on the 17th against the existing operator who did not return the 'Sky72' golf course land to Incheon International Airport Corporation, resulting in a clash with the tenant's security company employees. During this process, fire extinguishers were sprayed, and verbal abuse and loud shouting ensued, causing friction.
On the morning of the 17th, in front of Sky72 Golf & Resort in Jung-gu, Incheon, officials from the Incheon District Court Enforcement Office attempting to carry out a forced eviction clashed with employees of a tenant's business trying to prevent it. Photo by Gonghang Photojournalists Group
The Incheon District Court Enforcement Office began the forced eviction for land delivery around 8 a.m. at the 'Sky72 Golf Club' in Yeongjongdo, Jung-gu, Incheon. Enforcement officers tried to enter the interior at the entrance of the Sea Course (54 holes) within the Sky72 golf course. The facility tenant hired about 500 security company employees to resist the forced eviction, leading to physical clashes.
A court enforcement officer stated, "Since the plaintiff won the lawsuit, the debtor must rightfully hand over the (golf course) land to the plaintiff," adding, "We came to enforce the land delivery, and the tenants' legitimate possession rights will be protected." On the other hand, Lee Seong-hee, legal representative from Cheongo Law Firm for the tenants, argued, "It is unreasonable to carry out forced eviction just because the ownership of the golf course changed," and claimed, "The new operator said they would take over employment, but there has been no actual contact from the operator or Incheon International Airport Corporation."
Members of the conservative group 'Daehanminguk Baroseugi Gukmin Undongbonbu' also gathered near the Sea Course entrance that day. They held a rally with signs reading 'Forced Eviction Illegal,' claiming there was bid-rigging during the selection process of the new Sky72 operator. The police, responding to the court's cooperation request, deployed about 250 officers, including riot police, near the golf course in preparation for any incidents.
On the morning of the 17th, in front of Sky72 Golf & Resort in Jung-gu, Incheon, officials from the Incheon District Court Enforcement Office attempting to carry out a forced eviction clashed with employees of the tenant's business trying to prevent it. Photo by Gonghang Photojournalists Group
The court had earlier initiated forced eviction after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Incheon Airport Corporation in the final appeal of the 'Real Estate Delivery Lawsuit' against the existing golf course operator, Sky72 Co., Ltd. With the Supreme Court's decision finalized, Sky72 is required to hand over the golf course land to Incheon Airport Corporation but has not complied until recently.
Sky72 claimed it could not hand over the golf course land until the results of the prosecution's investigation into the selection of the subsequent operator were released and continued to accept reservations from users until recently.
The existing operator, Sky72, leased land owned by Incheon Airport Corporation, which was scheduled for the construction of the 5th runway at Incheon Airport, in 2005, and developed and operated the golf course and clubhouse. Incheon Airport Corporation and Sky72 set the contract termination date as December 31, 2020, when the 5th runway would be constructed, but as the runway construction was delayed, they engaged in legal disputes for over two years.
In September 2020, Incheon Airport Corporation conducted a public bid to select a new golf course operator, and 'KMH Shilla Leisure' (now KX Group) was chosen as the new operator.
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