1. Violation of the Right to Housing in Republic of Korea related to Yongsan tragedy The 10 th Session of the Human Rights Council Parallel Event hosted by Minbyun, PSPD, Korean NGOs

2. Where is ‘Yongsan’? Yongsan is situated at the center of Seoul, Republic of Korea.

3. Particularity of Yongsan development (1) Although development was much restricted in Yongsan, where the American military has been stationed since the Korean War, recently the decision to relocate the base has triggered rapid development in the area.

4. Particularity of Yongsan development (2) A quarter of the Korean population (12mill) is concentrated in Seoul. Although the potential value of Yongsan is great owing to its location at the centre of Seoul and tangent to the Han river, development was restricted for such reasons as the existence of US military base, etc.

5. development near the site of ‘Yongsan tragedy’ The construction project near Yongsan subway station influence area costs up to 18,111,254,851.23 USD(28 quadrillion KRW). The cost of eviction and demolition near the site of "Yongsan tragedy" (covering an area of 47161.8 ㎡ ) alone amounts up to 3,298,835.71 USD(5.1 billion KRW).

6. Negligence of the construction company’s illegal acts during eviction process Although the construction company hired security personnel who used violence and threats to force eviction during the procedure of demolition, the Korean government and the police ignored the residents' reports overlooked such illegal activities.

7. Contents of illegal acts (1) Security hoodlum assaulting a resident

8. Contents of illegal acts (2) Painting graffiti of threatening character in an empty building

9. Contents of illegal acts (3) Intimidating the residents by appearing in groups

10. Indifference of the Police a police officer (in glasses) at the scene indifferent to the sight of residents being threatened by security hoodlums

11. Evictees’ reasons against demolition Demolition was determined regardless of the residents’ opinion Residents and retailers will lose their livelihood and homes they have established over decades The tenants in particular are forced to leave without receiving sufficient compensation for the damages due to migration

12. Conflict between demolition protesters and construction company There have frequently been conflicts between demolition protesters and construction companies since the 70s and 80s in areas where tenants were insufficiently compensated and evicted during redevelopment.

13. Eviction Protests and SWAT team 19. Jan. 2009. About 50 Yongsan eviction protesters build a watchtower and begin their sit-in demonstration in an empty building 20. Jan. 2009. Police mobilize 20 squadrons (1,600 people) and execute arrest operation

14. The crackdown process (1) Use of water cannons

15. The crackdown process (2) 06:25 Police force begin to approach the building 06:45 A container carrying SWAT team lands on the roof

16. The crackdown process (3) 07:05 1 st fire occurs at the temporary watch tower and building

17. The crackdown process (4) 07:07 SWAT team inside the container begin to dismantle the temporary watch tower

18. The crackdown process (5) 07:15 Container crashes with the watchtower

19. The crackdown process (6) 07:20 2 nd fire breaks out at the watch tower and staircase

20. The crackdown process (7) 07:25 watchtower collapses

21. The crackdown process (8) 07:27 Mr. Jee Seok Jun falls off the building

22. Infringement of human rights by the Korean government (1) Although the Commission on Human Rights in its resolution 1993/77 recognized forced eviction as a gross violation of human rights (in particular the right to adequate housing) and urged all Governments provi de immediate restitution, compensation and/or approp riate and sufficient alternative accommodation or land, consistent with their wishes and needs, to persons and c ommunities that have been forcibly evicted, following mutually satisfactory negotiations with the affected pers ons or groups ; the Korean Government, nonetheless did not prepare measures that guarantee the tenants’ rights or alternative accommodation.

23. Infringement of human rights by the Korean government (2) Despite the fact that it was winter and nighttime the protesters were continuously sprayed with water cannons Although it was a simple anti-eviction demonstration, it was classified as urban terrorism and SWAT teams were mobilized, and caused direct liability to the lives of the protesters by crashing the container into the watch tower in which the protesters sat.

24. Infringement of human rights by the Korean government (3) Allowing the demolition company’s illegal actions The police even colluded with the demolition companies in their strategy to expel the protesters.

25. Infringement of human rights by the Korean government (4) While all the protesters were arrested, Tolerates the demolition workers’ illicit actions despite being at the scene, Tolerates the unlawful acts by the police during the evacuation operation

26. Thank you.