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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Prime Minister vows firm response to vote counting center blockade

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Prime Minister Kim Min-seok vowed a firm response to the blockade of a vote counting center, calling it a serious illegal act.
  • The protest, sparked by a ballot shortage in the June 3 local elections, has continued for 12 days, preventing athletes and organizers from accessing facilities.
  • Police have been instructed to take immediate action against those engaging in illegal activities and to pursue legal action against all suspected offenders.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has declared a resolute stance against the ongoing blockade of a vote counting center, emphasizing that illegal activities will be met with severe punishment. The protest, which began at the Jamsil Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, has entered its 12th day, stemming from a shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections.

The government will respond decisively with severe punishment for illegal acts.

— Prime Minister Kim Min-seokAddressing the blockade of the vote counting center.

"The government will respond decisively with severe punishment for illegal acts," Kim stated during a State Council and Emergency Economic Council meeting. He acknowledged the public's right to raise concerns about election integrity but stressed that such issues do not justify infringing on the rights of others.

While the government humbly listens to and respects the public's legitimate concerns about infringement of suffrage, it is never justifiable for some participants to infringe on the rights of others under the guise of such situations.

— Prime Minister Kim Min-seokAcknowledging public concerns while condemning the blockade.

The blockade has significantly disrupted activities at the venue, which was designated as a vote counting site. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has formally requested police intervention due to the prolonged obstruction. Athletes preparing for the Asian Fencing Championships and organizers of the World Finswimming Championships are reportedly unable to access their training equipment, leading to considerable difficulties.

The Jamsil Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, used as a vote counting site, has been blocked for over ten days.

— Prime Minister Kim Min-seokDescribing the duration and location of the protest.

Prime Minister Kim highlighted the severity of the situation, questioning the implications of preventing access to essential facilities. "If fencers are prevented from drawing their swords, what can be done?" he asked, underscoring the extent of the disruption. He also pointed out that the vote counting process itself has already concluded, making the continued blockade appear unjustified. Kim has directed the police to act swiftly based on law and principle against offenders and to thoroughly investigate and hold accountable any individuals suspected of illegal conduct.

If fencers are prevented from drawing their fencing swords, what on earth can be done?

— Prime Minister Kim Min-seokIllustrating the impact of the blockade on athletes.
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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