Sejong City to Take Strict Measures, Including Compensation Charges for Non-Compliance
Official Request for Meeting with Minister of Environment Also Underway
The city of Sejong has decided to actively respond to environmental groups that have been conducting illegal protests near Sejongbo for over a year, utilizing the full extent of administrative authority permitted by law.
On September 16, Sejong City issued a warning to certain environmental groups illegally occupying river areas near Sejongbo for protest purposes, and began administrative procedures for full legal enforcement.
Through the warning notice delivered on this day, the city ordered these environmental groups, which have been occupying national rivers without permission and demanding the demolition of Sejongbo, to cease their illegal activities and restore the area to its original state. Since April 2024, these groups have been occupying the river and riverbanks near Sejongbo under the Handuridae Bridge for over 500 days, continuing their illegal protest demanding the demolition of Sejongbo.
This warning is a follow-up measure to Sejong City's announcement on September 15 regarding its response to illegal protest sites. If voluntary removal is not carried out within the warning period, the city plans to take strict action in accordance with legal procedures, including imposing compensation charges and filing criminal complaints. Along with the warning, the city has once again officially requested a meeting with the Minister of Environment to discuss efficient operation measures for Sejongbo.
This approach stems from the view that, in order to resolve the ongoing conflicts caused by repeated reversals of government decisions regarding the reactivation of Sejongbo, a public forum involving both supporters and opponents is necessary.
As the main operator of the city, Sejong City plans to explain its position that the operation of Sejongbo is directly connected to the lives of its citizens and to communicate the voices of Sejong residents, who are the direct stakeholders affected by its operation.
A city official stated, "We will continue to take action in accordance with laws and principles against any illegal occupation of rivers that harms the public interest, and we will make every effort to ensure the efficient use of Sejongbo."
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