Seoul polling station occupied for over 30 hours amid ballot shortage protest

A protest over a ballot shortage at a polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, has entered its 30th hour, with demonstrators blocking the removal of ballot boxes. The standoff began after the polling station ran out of ballots during the Ninth National Simultaneous Local Elections.

Protesters, including conservative YouTubers and citizens, have been gathered near the polling station since Tuesday night. They are preventing the transfer of two ballot boxes, estimated to contain approximately 2,000 votes. The demonstration has shifted to a silent protest, with participants using hot packs and insulating vinyl to endure the conditions.

The situation escalated after the polling station extended voting hours until 10 PM on Tuesday for voters who had already verified their identity. However, residents waiting to vote and protesters claiming issues with the election's fairness gathered, leading to the ongoing confrontation.

Concerns about potential forced dispersal, fueled by warnings from individuals alleging possibilities of election fraud, have led the protesters to maintain a quiet demonstration. Despite the peaceful approach, minor altercations have occurred, including confrontations with election officials and counter-protesters.