A sex worker forcibly evicted from a site known as "Miari Texas," a gathering place for prostitution in the Hwalok-dong area of Seongbuk-gu, filed a complaint with the police against the Seongbuk District Mayor, the Jongam Police Station chief, and the redevelopment association president. The woman fainted while demanding relocation measures in front of the Seongbuk District Office and was transported to a hospital.
"Miari Sex Workers Relocation Committee" announced that its Chairperson Kim Su-jin, 44, filed a complaint the day before against the president of the Shinwolgok 1 District redevelopment association and the demolition contractor representative for alleged joint intrusion, joint property damage, and joint assault under the Act on the Punishment of Violence.
On the morning of the 16th, Chairperson Kim was forcibly evicted from a prostitution establishment that also served as her residence in the Shinwolgok 1 District due to a court's eviction order. Chairperson Kim argued that her home was undergoing legal proceedings in an eviction lawsuit, and the redevelopment association president enforced the eviction without legal grounds while the case was still pending.
Seongbuk District Mayor Lee Seung-ro and Jongam Police Station Chief Ryu Kyung-sook were also jointly accused of neglecting their duties and aiding and abetting acts under the Act on the Punishment of Violence during the eviction execution. The relocation committee stated that they mobilized staff to assist or facilitate illegal activities during the eviction.
In contrast, Seongbuk District maintains that it did not aid illegal activities during the eviction on the 16th. A Seongbuk District Office official said, "A human rights lawyer affiliated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, along with 35 court enforcement personnel and 30 police officers from the Jongam Police Station, were dispatched," adding, "We plan to support the relocation of sex workers within the legal framework."
The relocation committee and over 30 sex workers from Miari Texas gathered in front of the Seongbuk District Office at 9 a.m. that day for a rally. They chanted slogans such as "Let’s secure the right to live," "Guarantee relocation measures," and "We want to live." Including Chairperson Kim, two sex workers who were forcibly evicted on the 16th lay down in their pajamas in front of the barricade set up at the Seongbuk District Office entrance to protest.
At around 10:20 a.m., rally participants pushed and pulled the barricade, clashing with the police. During this, Chairperson Kim shouted, "I have nothing now and will just die," before fainting and being transported to a hospital by ambulance at 10:44 a.m.
The side of the prostitution businesses also held a press conference in front of the Seongbuk District Office at 10 a.m. Kang Hyun-jun, former secretary-general of the Hanter National Federation, urged the redevelopment association and Seongbuk District to establish relocation measures for sex workers. He stated, "Landowners of properties with prostitution establishments show no consideration for the relocation of sex workers and oppress them," expressing dismay at the public authorities that supported thugs despite having no legal grounds in broad daylight.
Demolition began in December last year for Shinwolgok District 1, which includes the Miari Texas prostitution establishments, as part of redevelopment plans. In this process, two sex workers living in the demolition area were evicted, prompting the relocation committee to set up a tent in front of the Seongbuk District Office and continue their protest since 5:30 a.m. on the 17th.