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Some participants of the protest blockading the ballot counting center at Olympic Park, including a woman who stood alone to block the entry of sports organization officials, are facing arrest hearings today, July 21. As the protest drags on, police officers on the scene are reporting significant mental distress.
Reporter Im Jihyeon has the story.
[Reporter]
A woman wearing glasses and a mask enters the court for her pre-arrest interrogation.
She is identified as A, a woman in her 30s, who held onto the doors for two hours on June 16 to block members of the People Power Party leadership and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee from entering the handball stadium at Olympic Park.
[(As the ballot counting center blockade continues to be prolonged, do you still believe your actions were justified?) …….]
A, who faces an arrest warrant on charges of obstruction of business, shared her stance on her YouTube channel yesterday.
[A: The warrant request states that 'severe punishment is absolutely necessary' to prevent a second or third 'Oldarc' from appearing. I intend to respond calmly according to legal procedures until the end….]
In addition to A, four other participants of the ballot counting center blockade are facing arrest hearings today.
YouTuber B is accused of illegally searching the belongings of the youth national handball team on June 8.
[B: They even took off their socks…. How do we know if they aren't hiding (ballots) under their socks?]
Three men in their 20s are accused of surrounding a lone police officer, insulting them, and blocking their path on June 6.
A decision on whether to issue arrest warrants for these individuals is expected as early as tonight.
As the blockade of the ballot counting center nears its 50th day, the burden on police officers guarding the site is increasing.
Police stated that 19 officers have sought psychological counseling due to mental distress, and some have applied for official leave for medical treatment.
With political circles failing to provide a clear solution, and the police maintaining a cautious stance regarding forced dispersal separate from individual illegal acts by protesters, the blockade of the ballot counting center appears to be entering a long-term standoff.
(Video reporting: Kang Si-woo | Video editing: Lee Sang-min | Graphics: Lee So-jeong | Source: YouTube channels Oldarc, Jwapapokgyeokgi TV)
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