A decision on whether to arrest a woman in her 40s, surnamed Kim, who is accused of swearing and spitting at police during a protest blockading the Jamsil ballot counting center, will be made this afternoon (June 25).

Senior Judge Seo Beom-jun, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Eastern District Court, held a pre-arrest questioning (arrest warrant hearing) for Kim, who is accused of obstructing public duties, starting at 2:30 p.m.

Arriving at the court at around 2:12 p.m., Kim did not answer reporters' questions about whether she admitted to the charges.

Instead, Kim shouted slogans used by the protestors, such as "Re-election for rigged elections, hand-counting of votes on election day."

Leaving the court at around 3:44 p.m. after the hearing, Kim shed tears and expressed her feelings, saying, "Everything is so unfair."

She went on to claim, "There is a reason why I was sworn at (by the police), why I swore back, and why I spat."

She added, "I was also assaulted and choked (by the police). I will reveal everything I went through, so please wait."

Kim was arrested red-handed at around 10:20 a.m. on June 23 for allegedly spitting and swearing at a police officer who was managing the scene in front of the gate of the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

At the time, Kim reportedly filmed the police officers on site with her mobile phone, saying she would "verify if they are Korean police," and even swore at the officers' families.


A video that spread on social media after the incident sparked controversy, as it showed the police officer immediately slapping Kim on the cheek after she spat at him.

Among internet users, criticism mounted that the police response was excessive, with comments such as, "Striking someone in the face when their hands are already restrained is a very serious matter."

The police are verifying the exact facts of the incident based on the circumstances before and after the arrest, as well as the video footage.

The officer in question reportedly explained, "I reacted instinctively because she spat in my face."

A police official explained, "Kim repeatedly engaged in similar behavior, such as spitting and swearing at other officers as well," adding, "We are currently investigating the details of the incident."

Meanwhile, on the National Police Agency board of an anonymous online community for employees, posts defending the officer appeared, with comments such as, "Are you supposed to just take it when someone spits on you?" and "That felt so satisfying."

As the protest blockading the Jamsil ballot counting center drags on, the number of cases where police investigations have been launched due to various clashes on-site is increasing.

According to data submitted to the office of Representative Jeong Chun-saeng of the Rebuilding Korea Party by the National Police Agency, a total of 41 reports and complaints were filed with the police regarding the protests at the Olympic Park Jamsil polling station between June 3 and 22.

Among these, six cases involved assault and defamation against police officers, such as pulling the arms of officers on duty or blocking their paths.

The majority of the cases, totaling 28, involved internal conflicts among the protestors, such as striking a fellow protestor with a flagpole, poking someone's eye with a whiteboard marker, and sexual harassment.

(Photo: Yonhap News)