Police Launch Investigation Into 'Belongings Inspection and Assault' as 2030 Generation Returns to Protest Site

[Anchor]

The blockade protest at the ballot counting station in the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Seoul has entered its eighth day. Police have launched an investigation into some of the protesters. We connect to our reporter on the scene.

Lim Ji-hyun, please start by telling us the situation on the ground.

[Reporter]

As of 7:00 PM today (June 12), there are approximately 5,000 people gathered here, an increase of about 2,000 compared to the same time yesterday.

As it is Friday evening, we have observed a higher proportion of people in their 20s and 30s.

[Interview: Yoo Min-ji, Kim Gun-woo / Seodaemun-gu, Seoul: I came here on a date with my boyfriend, and since it seems everyone gathered here out of love for the country, I wanted to experience the scene myself...]

Last weekend, the 20s and 30s demographic, who had led the protests while distancing themselves from specific ideologies or political factions, had largely left. During the week, the protest site was dominated by those promoting conspiracy theories regarding election fraud, leading to various conflicts.

With many participants in their 20s and 30s returning for the weekend, it is expected that the atmosphere of the protest may change.

Amid requests from sports organizations, which have been unable to access their workplaces due to the protesters' blockade, for the deployment of public authority, the police announced that they have launched an investigation into various illegal acts that occurred during the protests.

The police stated that they have opened an investigation into some protesters who inspected the belongings of the women's junior handball national team on June 8 on charges of coercion under the Criminal Act, and are currently tracking protesters accused of assaulting and confining a journalist.

[Anchor]

I understand that conservative YouTuber Jeon Han-gil held a press conference earlier today.

[Reporter]

Jeon Han-gil claimed to have found a ballot storage box that the National Election Commission had allegedly discarded, which the court was unable to secure during an on-site inspection two days ago.

The box in question was reportedly from the Jamsil 7-dong No. 2 polling station, where a shortage of ballots occurred. Jeon claims this is one of the seven missing boxes.

He intends to hand it over to investigative authorities or the court to verify its authenticity. Meanwhile, the court today requested the Songpa-gu Election Commission to confirm whether the ballot storage boxes were indeed discarded, along with information regarding the waste disposal company, the date of disposal, and the current location of any boxes that were not discarded.

(Reported by Kim Han-gyeol | Video edited by Kim Jin-won)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.