Police Question Suspect Over Unauthorized Search of Women's Handball Team

A suspect accused of conducting an unauthorized search of the belongings of junior women's handball national team players at the site of a blockade protest at the Jamsil ballot counting station, which was sparked by a ballot shortage incident, has recently been questioned by police.
The Seoul Songpa Police Station reportedly summoned the protester, identified as A, on June 26 to investigate charges including coercion, questioning why the suspect searched the handball players' belongings at the time.
Police are reportedly investigating whether there was any involvement from specific organizations or political parties behind the search and are considering the possibility of applying charges of special coercion based on their findings.
A and others are accused of searching the bags and belongings of the junior women's handball national team members without permission on June 8, when the players were leaving the gymnasium—which had been blocked by the protest—with their training equipment. The suspects claimed they needed to check if the players were carrying ballots, which they alleged were evidence of election fraud.
At the time, one male protester even remarked, "Shouldn't we make them take off their socks, too?"
Police have reportedly identified five individuals, including A, who participated in the unauthorized search.
The police plan to continue their investigation into other individuals involved.
In addition, the police have summoned suspects accused of obstruction of business for blocking access to the offices of sports organizations under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee located at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.