Protesters Block Sports Officials From Seoul Gymnasium Over Election Commission Distrust

Protesters blocked officials from entering the Handball Gymnasium at Olympic Park in Seoul's Songpa District on Monday, preventing representatives of national sports organizations from accessing their offices inside the building. The gymnasium houses numerous sports federations affiliated with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.

Officials needed to enter the building to prepare for international competitions.

Members of Korea's national fencing team departed for the Asian Championships in India without retrieving their personal equipment and instead used borrowed gear. Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, proposed that a television camera accompany officials entering the gymnasium to reassure protesters. The mediation plan failed after a single demonstrator refused to move.

Police officers witnessed sports officials being denied access but did not intervene at the time. Police opened an investigation into the blockade only after the incident. A court order issued on June 9 designated CCTV footage from Polling Station No.

2 in Jamsil 7-dong for preservation. The order did not include preservation of the ballot papers themselves. Public anger over the shortage of ballot papers during the June 3 local elections has legitimate grounds, Yonhap reported.

The protesters' determination to remain at the site reflects deep public distrust of the National Election Commission.