"6 Billion Won in Losses": Sports Groups Renew Calls for Police Intervention Against Protesters

[Anchor]

Sports organizations have once again called for police intervention regarding the ongoing blockade protest at the vote-counting station in Seoul Olympic Park. The police have announced a firm response, including the potential application of obstruction of business charges.

Reporter Lim Ji-hyun has the story.

[Reporter]

Nine sports organizations housed in the handball stadium at Seoul Olympic Park, which has been under a blockade protest for eleven days, held another press conference.

Yoo Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, stepped forward to appeal for help, citing damages and renewing the request for police intervention.

[Yoo Seung-min/President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee: Because they have not opened the doors for 20 days, we have suffered over 6 billion won in financial losses, and the administrative work for athletes and coaches has been paralyzed. The survival rights of sports personnel are being infringed upon.]

National fencing athletes who need to retrieve their equipment from inside the stadium to travel abroad, as well as the Korea Underwater Association, which must prepare for an international competition in Incheon next week, stated they can no longer wait.

While respecting the freedom of assembly and demonstration, the sports organizations emphasized that the rights of other citizens and public functions must not be violated.

[Secretary General of the Korea Underwater Association: If there is a disruption in competition management that leads to a safety accident during the event, our association could face a situation where we are permanently unable to host international competitions.]

In response to these requests, Park Jeong-bo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated during a press briefing that the police are reviewing charges of obstruction of business against the protesters.

This is interpreted as a signal that the police, who had previously sought to resolve the situation through dialogue to avoid physical clashes, may now actively deploy police force.

In particular, regarding the incident on the 8th where the youth national handball team was surrounded and their belongings were searched without permission, the Commissioner warned, "Because they displayed the power of a crowd, we have applied charges of special coercion, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison," adding, "Those who thoughtlessly join in illegal activities could face ruin."

The police are currently investigating 15 complaints and accusations, including this incident, the assault of reporters, and the mocking of police officers.

(Video by Yang Ji-hoon | Video Editing by Lee Sang-min | Graphics by Han Heung-soo)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.