Man arrested for obstructing parliamentary probe into election ballot shortage

A man in his 60s has been arrested and detained on charges of obstructing a parliamentary investigation into ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections. The Seoul Eastern District Court issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, identified as Mr. A, citing a risk of flight.

The incident occurred on July 2, when Mr. A allegedly pushed a police officer and used violence while the National Assembly's Special Committee for State Affairs was conducting a site inspection at Olympic Park, where the vote counting was taking place. Police apprehended him during an operation to clear access to the venue, which some citizens were blocking.

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I do not admit to assaulting the police. That place was for peaceful citizens, and I participated as a citizen. I am very wronged right now.

Appearing at court for a pre-arrest warrant hearing, Mr. A denied the charges, stating, "I do not admit to assaulting the police. That place was for peaceful citizens, and I participated as a citizen. I am very wronged right now." He explained his actions by saying he was trying to go to the restroom and wanted to convey his message to the lawmakers.

This is not the first such incident related to the investigation. The police had previously arrested and sent for trial a woman in her 40s who allegedly cursed at and spat on a police officer near the counting venue on June 23. In another case, arrest warrants for two men in their 20s accused of assaulting a police officer while transferring ballot boxes on June 5 were dismissed by the court, which found no risk of evidence destruction or flight.

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I was not blocking the entrance. I was trying to go to the restroom. And I said what I wanted to say to the National Assembly members.