Sports Organizations Report 6 Billion Won in Losses Due to Protests; Police Warn of Strict Crackdown on Illegal Acts

[Anchor]

As the blockade protest at the Seoul Olympic Park polling station continues, sports organizations unable to conduct their operations have once again requested the intervention of public authorities. The police have stated they are reviewing charges of obstruction of business and have announced a firm stance against illegal activities.

Reporter Lim Ji-hyun has the story.

[Reporter]

Nine sports organizations housed in the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul, which has been under a blockade protest for 11 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 intervention of public authorities.

[Yoo Seung-min / President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee: Because they have not opened the doors for 11 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 team members who need to retrieve their equipment from inside the venue to depart for international competitions, as well as the Korea Underwater Diving Association, which must prepare for an international event in Incheon next week, stated they can no longer wait.

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

[Secretary General of the Korea Underwater Diving 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 from the sports organizations, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jeong-bo stated during a press briefing 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 situation 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 searched their belongings without permission, the Commissioner warned, "Because they displayed the power of a crowd, we have applied charges of special coercion, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison," adding, "Those who thoughtlessly join in illegal acts could face total 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.