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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

South Korean sports groups denied office access for 12 days by election protesters

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Protesters demanding a do-over of South Korea's local elections blocked employees from accessing their offices in Seoul's Olympic Park for the 12th consecutive day.
  • Police are investigating the protesters for disrupting business operations, but attempts to mediate access have been met with anger and physical resistance.
  • Despite a tentative agreement, protesters continued to block access, with opposition lawmakers expressing solidarity with the demonstrators.

Employees of sports organizations affiliated with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee faced continued obstruction on June 16, 2026, as they attempted to reach their offices in Seoul's Olympic Park. Protesters, demanding a rerun of the local elections held on June 3 due to ballot shortages, have occupied the building for 12 days, preventing access.

What country do you work for?

— ProtesterShouted by protesters as police liaison officers attempted to help employees access the building.

Police intervention, including warnings of prosecution for disrupting business, failed to resolve the standoff. Protesters reacted with hostility towards liaison officers, questioning their allegiance and demanding transparency. Despite a reported agreement between committee employees and opposition lawmakers to allow limited access under strict conditions, including live camera feeds and searches, a physical blockade by one protester ultimately thwarted the employees' efforts.

Show us your badges!

— ProtesterShouted by protesters as police liaison officers attempted to help employees access the building.

Lawmakers from the opposition People Power Party, including Rep. Jang Dong-hyuk, visited the site, voicing support for the protesters and condemning what they termed "brutal attempts to force entry." However, the police presence was noted to be primarily composed of dialogue officers rather than crowd control units, focusing on mediation and investigation into the protesters' actions.

You should be working for the Korean people!

— ProtesterShouted by protesters as police liaison officers attempted to help employees access the building.
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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