Seoul Guryong Village 'Illegal Watchtower' Installation Team Leader's Arrest Warrant Denied

"Low Risk of Evidence Destruction or Flight"

The team leader who installed an illegal watchtower at the entrance of Guryong Village, a shantytown area in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, avoided detention.

According to the Suseo Police Station in Seoul on the 27th, the Seoul Central District Court held a pre-trial detention hearing for Mr. A the day before and dismissed the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant, citing low risk of evidence tampering or flight.

An illegal watchtower is erected at the entrance of Guryong Village in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

Mr. A is accused of violating the Urban Development Act by erecting a 10-meter-high steel structure (watchtower) at the entrance of Guryong Village without the district office's permission on the 23rd, along with five foreign workers.

At the scene, it was reported that about 200 residents of Guryong Village held a rally demanding the Seoul city government issue certificates verifying their residence.

Guryong Village is known as the last shantytown in Seoul. In May, the Seoul city government announced plans to develop Guryong Village into a complex housing project with up to 25 floors and 3,520 units, leading to conflicts with residents demanding compensation.