In January last year, seven security company employees who obstructed a forced eviction by spraying fire extinguisher powder at a golf course owned by Incheon International Airport Corporation were found guilty.
Judge Sung In-hye of the Criminal Division 8 at Incheon District Court announced on the 30th that seven security company employees, including A (22), who were charged with obstruction of official duties, were each sentenced to 6 to 10 months in prison with a 2-year probation. Judge Sung also ordered them to perform 80 to 240 hours of community service each.
A and the other six were indicted without detention last year in January for obstructing official duties by spraying fire extinguisher powder to prevent court officers from carrying out forced eviction at Sky72 Golf Club on Yeongjongdo, Jung-gu, Incheon.
During the forced eviction, a physical altercation broke out involving court officers, facility tenants, and security company employees from both sides. Water cannons and fire extinguisher powder were sprayed, and loud shouting and swearing ensued, turning the golf course area into chaos. Investigations revealed that all seven, including A, were security company employees hired by the golf course facility tenants.
Security company employees are spraying fire extinguishers to block court enforcement officers from entering. January 17, 2023. Photo by Gonghang Photojournalists Group
In December 2022, Incheon Airport Corporation won the final appeal in the 'Real Estate Delivery Lawsuit' against the previous golf course operator, Sky72 Co., Ltd. However, despite the Supreme Court's final ruling, the Incheon District Court enforcement office carried out forced eviction against the previous operator as Sky72 did not return the golf course land to Incheon Airport Corporation.
Judge Sung stated, "The defendants obstructed the forced eviction in an organized manner to gain economic benefits, and the nature of the crime is serious." However, she added, "They admitted their crimes and showed remorse. Considering that some defendants are first-time offenders and the subsequent golf course operator also requested leniency for the defendants," explaining the sentencing rationale.
Meanwhile, Kim Kyung-wook (58), former president of Incheon International Airport Corporation, who was prosecuted for obstructing the golf course operator’s work by cutting off electricity and water supply to Sky72 Golf Course three years ago, was acquitted in the first trial on August 1.
At that time, Incheon Airport Corporation cut off electricity and water supply, claiming that Sky72 was occupying the golf course without permission even though the lease contract for the golf course land had ended in December 2020.
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