Attempt to Enter Jamsil Vote Counting Station Fails After Single Protester Blocks Access

An attempt by sports organizations under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee to enter their offices at the Olympic Handball Gymnasium, which had been agreed upon through opposition party mediation, ultimately failed due to the opposition of a single protester.
Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, announced to reporters and protesters in front of Gate 2-1 of the gymnasium at approximately 4:00 p.m. today (June 16) that he had "instructed the sports committee officials to withdraw as the situation did not allow for entry into the stadium."
Earlier, at approximately 2:10 p.m., Representative Jang had announced that an agreement for entry had been reached with the sports organizations and the police.
At the time, Representative Jang had proposed a mediation plan in which two representatives from each sports organization would enter the offices inside the stadium sequentially to retrieve work materials, accompanied by a People Power Party lawmaker and two broadcast cameras to provide live coverage.
The majority of protesters at the scene agreed to this proposal, effectively endorsing it, and preparations for entry were completed.
However, the situation changed when a female participant, who had a U.S. flag wrapped around her waist, held onto the door and resisted.
Despite two hours of persuasion attempts by People Power Party lawmakers and other protesters, Representative Jang ultimately decided to withdraw.
The protest currently lacks an organizer, leaving no entity in control of the individual actions of the participants.
As the entry attempt collapsed, conflicts erupted among the participants, including shouting matches.
During this process, a man in his 40s was apprehended by police on charges of assaulting another participant with a stone.
After Representative Jang announced the end of the situation, some participants sealed the Gate 2-1 door using blue tape and rope.
Meanwhile, officials from the sports organizations, including Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Lee Kee-heung, who had hoped to retrieve work materials, left the scene.
Protesters have been blocking access to the stadium since June 5, claiming they intend to prevent the removal of ballot boxes from the completed vote count.
The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee held a press conference yesterday calling for the use of public authority, and the police have also issued strong warnings regarding illegal activities.
However, a police official stated today that there are no immediate plans to investigate the woman who blocked the door and prevented entry.
Separately, the civic group "Committee for the People's Livelihood" filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency today, alleging that remarks made by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jung-bo regarding "ruining one's life" constitute coercion and intimidation.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.