Entrances Blocked Tight: Sports Groups Claim 6 Billion Won in Losses

[Anchor]

Regarding the protest blocking the ballot counting station at Seoul Olympic Park, sports organizations have once again appealed for the intervention of public authority. They claim that billions of won in damages have already been incurred and that national athletes are unable to even retrieve their equipment. The police have issued a strong warning, stating that "those who join in illegal acts could face ruin."

Reported by Im Jihyeon.

[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 this afternoon (June 15).

Yoo Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, stepped forward to appeal for help and once again requested the intervention of public authority.

[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 so far, and the administrative work of athletes and coaches has been paralyzed. The survival rights of sports personnel are being infringed upon.]

The situation is critical for national fencing athletes who need to retrieve their swords from inside the stadium to depart for international competitions tomorrow, as well as for the Korea Underwater Association, which must prepare for an international event in Incheon next week.

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

[Secretary General of the Korea Underwater Association: If there is a disruption in game operations and a safety accident occurs during a match, our association could face a situation where we are permanently unable to host international events.]

In response to these requests from sports organizations, Park Jeong-bo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a press conference today that the police are reviewing charges of obstruction of business against the protesters.

This is interpreted as an indication that the police, who had previously sought to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation to avoid physical clashes, may now actively deploy public authority.

In particular, regarding the incident on the 8th where protesters surrounded the youth national handball team and conducted unauthorized searches of their belongings, the Commissioner stated, "Because they demonstrated the power of a crowd, we have applied charges of special coercion, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison," and warned, "If you thoughtlessly join in illegal acts, you could face ruin."

The police are currently investigating 15 cases of 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.