politics
Election Protesters Allow Sports Officials Into Seoul Gymnasium After 12-Day Standoff
Protesters agreed Tuesday to let two members per sports organization enter the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium at a time under live broadcast and oversight by opposition lawmakers.
Jun 16, 3:29 AM·1m read1 source
jta.orgAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Election protesters agreed Tuesday to allow sports officials inside the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Seoul's southern Songpa Ward, potentially ending a 12-day standoff that began on June 5. Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Party, announced the deal after meeting with the protesters in front of the gymnasium.
The protesters have been demanding a rerun of the June 3 local elections because of ballot shortages at 26 voting stations. Under the agreement, two members per sports organization will be allowed to enter the gym at a time to retrieve items needed for their work.
The entire entry process will be broadcast live under the oversight of PPP lawmakers, and protesters will be allowed to check the recovered items, Jang said.
Sports officials from organizations under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee have been unable to access their offices inside the gymnasium since June 5. The vote count for the June 3 local elections has already been completed. Earlier Tuesday, police made three broadcasts warning protesters of criminal punishment for obstruction of business.
Jang and other PPP lawmakers arrived at the site to deescalate tensions.
