The first step toward transformation has been taken in Hidiraga, a neighborhood in Tekirdag's Corlu district, known as "Koretown," a neighborhood frequently associated with public order and narcotics issues. Demolition of derelict buildings has begun, and plastering has begun on the walls known as "stash." Provincial Police Chief Metin Turanlı stated, "We will save the new generation from the ills of the old generation."
Tekirdag Provincial Police Department and Corlu Municipality have started work in Hidiraga Neighborhood, which they determined as a pilot area in the district and is known as 'Korean Neighborhood' by the citizens.
DERAKEN BUILDINGS ARE BEING DEMOLISHED IN HIDIRAGA
Within the scope of the work, the demolition of abandoned buildings in the neighborhood has begun and the walls referred to as 'zula' have also been plastered. Corlu Mayor Ahmet Sarikurt and Provincial Police Chief Metin Turanli visited the neighborhood where 10 abandoned buildings were demolished and graffiti was erased and inspected the work.
WHERE THERE IS A STACK, WE WILL PLASTER IT
Tekirdag Police Chief Metin Turanli said the following: "We are already doing our job, especially regarding bad habits, addiction, and issues that disturb our people in this neighborhood. We are 633 percent more in this neighborhood regarding this issue. Wherever there is an abandoned building here, we will demolish them all one by one. Wherever there is a stash of walls, made of bricks, almost like a store shelf, we will plaster them on the streets. Wherever there is an immoral writing that would offend society, we will erase or have them erased in the name of opening a new page.
WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR OR BE AFRAID OF
IN 2026, THIS PLACE WILL BE REMEMBERED IN A DIFFERENT WAY
Turanli continued his words as follows: "Hopefully, in 2026, Kore Mahallesi will be remembered differently. This place's name will be spoken of differently. We will reach out to these children, we will help them. By making realistic analyses, making realistic findings on the ground, we will present all the figures to the people and authorities who need to know. We have a claim; these children are my biggest supporters regarding this claim. I have personally and closely seen at least 50 of them in this neighborhood. There are children I know, have coffee meetings with, and host. We will overcome these problems together with these children. We will save the new generation from the diseases of the old generation.
Koreatown is a pilot point for us, our workplace. Therefore, we will soon build our police station, the project of which we have completed, right next to the neighborhood, at ground zero, as soon as possible. But before that, we will be settled there next week as a container point. We have friends who will be here non-stop, day and night. We are already here, but we will be more visible. Hopefully, Tekirdag will intervene in this area more closely with our Family and Social Policies, our National Education Directorate, and our Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate, working more closely with them to protect these children from this negative perception, from this negative discourse, and from bad attributions. May God make our work successful, this is our prayer.
IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE BY BRUTE FORCE
Corlu Mayor Ahmet Sarikurt also said, "Our Police Department will soon be here, especially in the fight against drugs and security. They conducted an operation to ensure this, and now our police department and colleagues are working on it again. Our story isn't just about demolishing buildings; it's a collaborative effort to provide better conditions for our citizens in the neighborhood. I hope this cooperation continues; we all want our fellow citizens to live in better conditions. It's not something that can be achieved solely through brute force. We need to work together to address their education, social support, and job opportunities. Each and every one of them is a citizen of our country. Whatever we want for our children, we should want the same for the children here. In this sense, I especially thank our police chief and the district governor," he said.
Oz Corlulular Roma Association President Bahattin Pektas said, "Today, the abandoned houses in Corlu Kore Neighborhood will be demolished. May God bless our Tekirdag Provincial Police Chief and our Corlu Police Chief. They have given us such strength and power; they will fix our neighborhood, God willing." On the other hand, a foreign national caught in the neighborhood was detained pending deportation.
