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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Jamsil ballot boxes removed after 35 hours amid election fraud protests

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Ballot boxes from a polling station in Jamsil, Seoul, were removed 35 hours after voting closed due to protests by election fraud conspiracy theorists.
  • Police intervened to disperse protesters who had blocked the removal, leading to confrontations.
  • Despite the ballot box removal, some protesters continued to demonstrate at the vote counting center, demanding a halt to the count.

Ballot boxes from a polling station in Jamsil, Seoul, were finally transported to the vote counting center three days after the local elections, following a prolonged protest by individuals alleging election fraud. The removal occurred after a 35-hour standoff where protesters, including prominent figures associated with election fraud theories, had blocked access to the polling station.

Let's protect the ballot boxes.

— ProtestersChanting slogans during the standoff at the polling station.

The polling station became a focal point after issues with ballot paper shortages during the election. Protesters gathered, blocking the removal of two ballot boxes containing votes for approximately 2,000 people. This prevented the finalization of vote counts for several races, including the Seoul mayoral election, delaying the official confirmation of winners.

Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn told us to form a good scrum.

— ProtesterIndicating coordination among protesters.

Police deployed significant forces, including 18 riot police units, to disperse the protesters. The operation led to confrontations as protesters attempted to form human chains and resist removal. Police issued warnings about legal consequences for assaulting officers and obstructing the process. The ballot boxes were eventually carried out by election officials amidst the ongoing protests and verbal altercations.

We are protecting the country.

— ProtestersExpressing their perceived role in safeguarding the election.

Even after the ballot boxes reached the vote counting venue at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, protests continued. Figures like Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Free and Innovation Party, and supporters gathered, demanding the "illegal vote count" be stopped. Hwang engaged in a standoff with police, questioning the legitimacy of the counting center's establishment. The situation highlights the persistent influence of election fraud conspiracy theories and the challenges they pose to democratic processes in South Korea.

We must secure the passage of the ballot boxes. Cooperation is requested. Assaulting police officers may result in legal punishment. Cooperation is requested.

— Police BroadcastWarning issued to protesters during the operation to remove the ballot boxes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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