Protesters Chant "Election Fraud, Hold New Election"; Police Consider Obstruction of Business Charges for Blocking Entrance

[Anchor]

Now, let’s go live to the vote-counting center at Olympic Park to check the current situation.

Kwon Min-kyu, is there any possibility of further attempts to enter the facility today (June 16)?

[Reporter]

In front of Gate 2-1 of the Handball Gymnasium, where tensions over entry have persisted throughout the day, about a dozen protesters are still holding their ground while waving American flags, with dozens more gathered in the surrounding area.

The female protester who was blocking the door alone this afternoon is no longer visible.

With the lawmakers and sports organizations having all departed the scene, the protesters continue to chant slogans calling for a "new election due to election fraud."

[Anchor]

They were unable to enter again today. What is the plan for the sports organizations moving forward?

[Reporter]

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee stated they were even willing to accept entering alongside the protesters, but they are now expressing bewilderment after the entry attempt ultimately failed.

A committee official pointed out, "Isn't it the case that we cannot enter because public authority is not being properly enforced?"

They further appealed that the situation is causing significant damage, including setbacks in preparations for the World Finswimming Championships in Incheon, which begin on the 22nd.

For now, the committee plans to support the administrative tasks of sports organizations from a temporary office.

[Anchor]

The government has also released an additional statement, correct?

[Reporter]

Yes, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung stated in a public address, "It is deeply regrettable that numerous illegal cases infringing upon law and social order have occurred at some protest sites."

[Yoon Ho-jung / Minister of the Interior and Safety: Acts that undermine the rule of law in our society, such as private inspections or the occupation of facilities, cannot be justified for any reason.]

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also criticized the situation, saying, "There is no explanation as to what right they have to block legitimate passage," and Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho emphasized on social media that "private inspections and private confinement are subject to punishment as flagrant offenses."

The police are currently considering applying charges of obstruction of business against the female protester who blocked the entrance this afternoon.

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