Sports Organizations Attempt to Enter Blockaded Stadium Again, Remain in Standoff with Protesters

Staff from sports organizations, whose offices are located inside the Olympic Park Handball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, are currently in a standoff lasting over an hour after attempting to enter the facility this morning (June 16). The stadium has been occupied by protesters who gathered following a shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections.

Employees from sports organizations affiliated with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee arrived at the site at 9:04 a.m. today and attempted to negotiate with protesters guarding Gate 2-1, but were unable to gain entry.

Although some protesters initially accepted a proposal to form an entry team with an equal number of police officers and staff to monitor activities, the agreement fell through due to strong opposition from other participants who rushed to the gate.

The Seoul Songpa Police Station has issued two warning broadcasts to the protesters.

An official from the Songpa Police Station warned at 9:52 a.m., "Obstructing or interfering with Korean Sport & Olympic Committee officials as they enter the building may constitute the crime of obstruction of business under the Criminal Act."

The police issued another warning at 10:05 a.m., stating, "We ask for your cooperation so that the sports committee officials can reach their workplace," but the protesters did not lift their occupation.

The sports organizations have been unable to access their offices since June 5, when protesters blockaded all entrances and windows of the handball stadium, continuing their demonstration for the 12th consecutive day as of today.

The protesters have been controlling access, claiming they must prevent the removal of ballot boxes now that the vote counting has concluded.

The sports organizations have attempted to negotiate with the protesters several times to gain entry but have failed to reach an agreement.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.