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

[Anchor]

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

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 voice the damages and once again requested the deployment of public authorities.

[Yoo Seung-min / President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee: Because they have not opened the doors for 20 minutes, 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.]

The situation is critical for national fencing athletes who must depart for international competitions tomorrow but cannot access their equipment inside the stadium, as well as for the Korea Underwater Association, which is preparing for an international event in Incheon next week.

While the sports organizations stated they respect the freedom of assembly and demonstration, they 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 competition operations and a safety accident occurs during the event, our association could face a situation where we are permanently unable to host international competitions.]

In response to these requests, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jung-bo 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 issue through dialogue and negotiation to avoid physical clashes, may now actively deploy public authority.

In particular, regarding the incident on June 8 where protesters surrounded the youth national handball team and conducted unauthorized searches of their belongings, Commissioner Park warned, "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. 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.