Jamsil 7-dong Polling Station Standoff Continues Over Ballot Shortages; Election Commission Says 'No Forced Removal'

A tense standoff persisted into the morning of June 4 at the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Seoul, stemming from a ballot shortage that occurred during the voting for the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections. The situation escalated after the polls closed, with conservative YouTubers and citizens gathering to oppose the removal of ballot boxes.

Police responded by deploying a significant number of officers, estimated at around 470 personnel at its peak around 3 a.m., including local police and riot squads, to maintain order and prevent confrontations. The Jamsil 7-dong polling station was one of 14 locations in Seoul that experienced a shortage of ballots. Due to this issue, voters who received waiting slips were able to cast their ballots beyond the official closing time of 6 p.m., extending until 10 p.m.

Following the extended voting period, confusion ensued as some citizens, YouTubers, and journalists converged on the area. Participants chanted slogans such as "Rigged election" and "Halt the count," demanding that the ballot boxes not be moved. The article notes that some individuals gathered near apartment complex security posts and stairwells, indicating a prolonged and potentially disruptive protest.