Seoul sports groups protest Olympic Park blockade, urge ballot box relocation

Sports organizations under the Korean Sports & Olympic Committee are experiencing severe disruptions to their international competition preparations due to a protest at Seoul's Olympic Park. The demonstration has led to a blockade of facilities, hindering athletes and staff from accessing essential items and creating significant administrative paralysis.

“

The association is considering canceling participation, and some are saying, 'Why should we even come to this situation?'

Organizations like the Korea Underwater Fin Swimming Association are struggling to retrieve equipment needed for the World Finswimming Championships scheduled for June 22. The situation has led some to consider forfeiting their participation. The national fencing team, for instance, had to depart for the Asian Championships without their personal equipment due to the ongoing blockade.

Sports officials have expressed distress over the protesters' demands, noting that they are being told to "sacrifice the small for the big." The situation has also taken a personal toll, with staff reporting threats and psychological trauma. Some individuals have had their personal information, including names and phone numbers, posted online by protesters, while others have faced harassment on social media platforms.

“

Outside (the protesters) just tell us to sacrifice the small for the big.

Frustration has also been directed at the police, with one official stating a loss of trust after attempts to enter facilities were not adequately supported. Protesters are reportedly using detailed building plans to block even underground passages. In response, sports organizations have requested the relocation of election ballot boxes, which they believe are being used as leverage, to a secure area to facilitate the resolution of the situation.

“

We had to put down all the phones in the PR department because of the severe verbal abuse.

Democratic Party lawmakers visited the Olympic Park to meet with representatives from the affected sports bodies. They acknowledged the critical state of affairs, with the Asian Games less than 100 days away, and emphasized that athletes are facing desperate circumstances, even unable to obtain their uniforms. The lawmakers stated that the request for access to equipment is not an attempt to disrupt the vote count but a plea for basic freedom of movement, deeming the blockade an illegal act.

“

They find your Instagram account and get it suspended. You get trauma just from seeing a camera.