Olympic Park blockade enters 16th day with 'rerun election' calls

A protest demanding a rerun of the June 6 local elections continued for the 16th day at the Olympic Park in Seoul, despite rainy weather on June 20. Participants, equipped with umbrellas and raincoats, gathered to chant slogans and wave South Korean and US flags, calling for a new election.

By 10 a.m., approximately 200 people had assembled near the handball stadium's vote counting center, with numbers increasing to around 380 by 1 p.m. Police deployed eight riot police units, totaling over 600 officers, to prepare for any potential incidents. The estimated population in the Olympic Park area at the time was between 16,000 and 18,000, including concertgoers and general visitors.

The protest, which began with a larger turnout of about 1,000 people the previous weekend, has transformed into a de facto sit-in. Tents and mosquito nets have been set up, and some participants are staying overnight. Flyers and banners demanding a new election are displayed throughout the park, with some damaged by rain.

The decentralized nature of the protest, organized primarily through social media, has posed challenges for the police. Authorities are expanding investigations into alleged illegal activities, including obstruction of business, with two individuals identified among nine suspects. Investigations are also underway for alleged searches of belongings, assault on reporters, and unauthorized entry into the facility.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Park Music Festival, which opened on the same day, proceeded with some adjustments to its performance venues due to the ongoing protest at the handball stadium.