Korea’s “Yongyeok Ggangpae” thugs play a violent role in forced evictions, redevelopment projects, and the broader impact on South Korea’s urban transformation.
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In South Korea, the term “Yongyeok Ggangpae” (용역 깡패), or “service thugs,” refers to individuals hired by construction companies, governments, and private developers to carry out some of the most controversial and violent aspects of urban redevelopment. These so-called “thugs” play a central role in forced evictions, demolition of old buildings, and the removal of communities deemed “in the way” of new development projects.
The Emergence of Private Demolition Firms
Before the 1980s, evictions in South Korea were managed directly by the government, typically with the help of police forces. However, after democratization, this task was privatized, and private companies began to take over the brutal work of forced evictions. These companies, including some of the most notorious ones like Daewon E&C, Chammaru Construction, and Samohjin Construction, became synonymous with violent tactics.
While the government’s role shifted, the influence of private companies only grew, especially in the booming real estate market. The creation of “redevelopment zones” made it easier for these companies to carry out mass evictions, often without providing proper compensation or relocation assistance for the affected residents.
The Main Duties of Yongyeok Ggangpae
Yongyeok Ggangpae are often hired for a variety of purposes, but their most notorious role is in forced evictions. These thugs are tasked with clearing out residents, often by force, from areas slated for redevelopment. This involves demolishing buildings, removing illegal street vendors, and even breaking up strikes or protests by evicted tenants. Their methods are not subtle—intimidation, harassment, and sometimes outright violence are common tactics.
The companies behind these operations often recruit a mix of individuals, including former military personnel, ex-police officers, and young college students, some of whom are paid low wages to take part in these aggressive actions. Additionally, these organizations often work with organized crime syndicates to maintain their operations under the radar.
The Most Notorious Yongyeok Ggangpae Companies
Among the most prominent demolition companies in South Korea, several names have stood out for their violent tactics. Daewon E&C, for instance, is infamous for its involvement in numerous violent eviction cases. The company has been responsible for at least 47 instances of violence, 55 home invasions, and even murders during the 1990s. Chammaru Construction, another key player in the demolition business, has had a long history of violent evictions, earning it the nickname “contract gangsters” due to their violent methods.
These companies are able to sidestep responsibility by using “dummy CEOs” and creating multiple shell companies, making it difficult to trace their actions back to the original company. This lack of transparency has allowed them to operate with impunity for years, leaving victims with little recourse.
The Impact on South Korean Society
The practice of forced evictions has caused immense social upheaval in South Korea, particularly in areas like Seoul, where rapid urban redevelopment has led to the displacement of thousands of residents. Many of these displaced individuals are poor, elderly, or marginalized members of society, such as immigrants and day laborers, who have no means to fight back against powerful real estate developers and corrupt government officials.
In the 1990s, when forced evictions became more commonplace, the government allowed private companies to operate with minimal oversight. This shift in responsibility from the government to private hands led to an increase in violence and intimidation tactics. Residents who were once part of a vibrant working-class community found themselves being evicted in the dead of night, often with no more than a few hours’ notice. Many of these evicted people were left without homes and were forced to move to the outskirts of the city, where housing was cheaper but still unaffordable for most.
The most infamous example of the violence surrounding forced evictions occurred in 2009 during the Yongsan Disaster, when police and hired thugs clashed with residents protesting their eviction from a commercial building. The incident resulted in a deadly fire that killed five tenants and one police officer. Despite the tragic loss of life, the police involved in the operation were acquitted, and the tenants who had resisted were jailed.
A Culture of Impunity
One of the major reasons forced evictions continue to be a problem in South Korea is the culture of impunity that surrounds redevelopment projects. Because of the large profits that can be made from land speculation and development, powerful property owners, government officials, and construction companies often turn a blind eye to the mistreatment of residents. The police, although technically supposed to protect citizens, are often seen as complicit in the violence due to their reluctance to intervene in the operations of demolition firms.
In many cases, eviction companies are able to carry out their tasks without facing legal consequences. They are often shielded from responsibility by the vast influence of the real estate industry, which controls much of the country’s wealth. Furthermore, the victims of forced evictions are usually powerless to stand up for themselves, as the laws governing compensation and relocation have not significantly changed since the 1980s.
Resistance and the Future of Forced Evictions
There has been some resistance to the practice of forced evictions in South Korea, with tenants forming activist groups and organizations to demand better compensation and housing alternatives. One notable organization is the National Evicted Residents’ Association, which advocates for the rights of those displaced by redevelopment. However, these groups often find themselves up against powerful forces with deep pockets, making it difficult for them to achieve lasting change.
In recent years, South Korean activists have pushed for laws to restrict forced evictions and make the eviction process more transparent. The government has taken some steps in the right direction, such as the 2013 amendment to the “Security Service Act,” which aimed to prevent those with criminal backgrounds from being involved in security companies. However, critics argue that these measures have been too weak to make a real impact.
The issue of forced evictions remains a dark chapter in South Korea’s rapid urban development, and it is unclear if meaningful reforms will be made in the near future. Until then, the people who continue to suffer from this system will have to fight to protect their homes, while the real estate developers and demolition companies continue to profit from their displacement.
Conclusion
In South Korea, the practice of using “Yongyeok Ggangpae” or hired thugs to carry out forced evictions has become a normalized part of the urban redevelopment process. While these companies operate with impunity, their violent methods leave a lasting scar on the country’s most vulnerable residents. The lack of meaningful reform has allowed the cycle of evictions to continue, with little regard for the social costs. As the country grapples with its housing crisis, it remains to be seen whether the system of forced evictions will ever change.