Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Christian group faces W17 mil. fine for illegal road occupation
Members of the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) hold a massive Christmas ceremony dubbed “2019 Freedom Korea Christmas Festival” at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Local governments are threatening to take action against longstanding protesters near Cheong Wa Dae.
Seoul City and Jongno-gu Office plan to take countermeasures including giving out fines and even forcibly removing the facilities of a conservative Christian group if the group keeps refusing requests to move or disperse.
According to the city government and the district office, Wednesday, the city's road management office sent a letter on Dec. 20 to the group called the “Pan-National Alliance for Moon Jae-in's Resignation,” led by the Christian Council of Korea (CCK), to request voluntary removal of their tents set up on the sidewalk near the presidential office by Dec. 27.
Since Oct. 3, hundreds of group members have been staging a sit-in by setting up tents there and demanding President Moon resign as they oppose many government policies. The protesters and their facilities are making it difficult for pedestrians to pass through the area; nearby residents have complained of noise coming from loudspeakers.
Regarding the complaints and the local authorities' moves, the group said it reports its rally plans in advance so it is legal to continue the sit-in rallies.
Separately from the protest itself, however, the group needed prior approval from the local authorities in order to set up tents on the pavement, according to the relevant law.
According to the Road Act, a person or group should get prior approval from the road management authority of the region when planning to occupy the pavement or street to install, change or remove a structure or a facility.
“We sometimes grant road occupancy approval for road maintenance, but we do not allow rallies that occupy the roads and sidewalks for such a long period of time,” an official from the Jongno-gu Office said. “We plan to issue a 17.76 million won ($15,200) fine for illegal occupation.”
The road management office also said it is discussing with the district office whether to submit another notification letter for voluntary removal or take administrative measures ― meaning forcible removal.
Separate from the local governments' moves, police decided to bring an end to the group's protest near Cheong Wa Dae by Jan. 4, following ongoing complaints from local residents.
The police said on Monday it had told the group not to hold rallies there between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m., but the group members did not abide and continued to hold religious services and protests there. In response, the police ordered the group to cease all rally activity by Jan. 4, indicating not only their tents but also the gatherings themselves will subject to police action.