Seoul demands return of land used by former president

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday demanded the return of land currently used to house security guards for former President Chun Doo-hwan, city officials said.

The municipal government filed the request with the police, asking them to find an alternative location before the land grant expires on April 30, according to a city official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Under South Korean law, former presidents are guarded by the presidential security service for the first 10 years after retirement, after which the police take over.

Chun, who took power through a military coup in 1979, served as president from 1980-1988. His rise to power was protested by more than 200,000 citizens in the southern city of Gwangju on May 18, 1980, an uprising that was brutally quashed by the new military junta. The bloody crackdown killed about 200 people and wounded 1,800 others, according to government data, though unofficial figures put the death toll at more than 2,000.

“The land used to accommodate security guards for former President Chun was originally a creative space for artists, so we plan to use it for its intended purpose,” the official said, adding that the municipal government is unlikely to provide the land even for rent.

Chun’s residence is located in Yeonhui-dong, western Seoul, where many foreigners and politicians are known to live.

Police claimed the adjacent land is essential to protect the former president.

“The facility is in an area that provides a good view into the inside of the residence,” a police official said. “We will try to negotiate with the municipal government over ways to rent the land or exchange it with land owned by the police.” (Yonhap News)