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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Vote Counting Center Blockaded for Third Day Over Election Issues

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Protesters continue to blockade a vote counting center in Seoul for the third consecutive day, demanding a by-election following issues with ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections.
  • The demonstration, primarily led by young adults in their 20s and 30s, appears to be prolonging, with participants emphasizing the 'purity' of their cause by limiting slogans to 'by-election' and waving national flags.
  • While initial protests were marked by confrontation, the current atmosphere is more orderly, though participants remain vigilant against election commission officials attempting to leave the premises.

A protest demanding a new election continues for a third day at a vote counting center in Seoul, sparked by a shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections. Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, where ballots from the affected polling station in Jamsil 7-dong were reportedly transferred. The protest began on June 5 and has persisted for over 48 hours.

By-election, infringement of suffrage, please only chant the national anthem.

— Protest bannerExpressing the protesters' demand for a new election and their focus on specific slogans.

Participants, including many in their 20s and 30s, some accompanied by children or pets, are monitoring the venue where they believe ballot boxes are being stored. They are holding national flags and chanting slogans calling for a "by-election." While initial protests involved signs and chants about "election fraud," the focus has shifted to maintaining the "purity" of the demonstration, with organizers urging participants to limit their calls to "by-election" and to only wave the national flag.

One banner displayed at the site reads, "By-election, infringement of suffrage, please only chant the national anthem," and "Please wave only the national flag," and "Please protect peace until the end." A rally organizer stated, "The only phrases we can mention are democracy and by-election." This shift aims to maintain a disciplined and focused message.

The only phrases we can mention are democracy and by-election.

— Rally organizerInstructing participants on the approved slogans to maintain the protest's focus.

Compared to the initial days, which saw confrontations and physical intimidation of election commission staff and reporters, the current atmosphere is more orderly. Recycling bins have been set up, and protesters applauded police officers during shift changes. However, vigilance remains high, with participants quickly gathering at entrances if there are any indications of election commission officials attempting to leave the building. Reports suggest that around 20 to 30 election commission staff, who were reportedly isolated inside the venue, may have left early on June 7. Election commission officials have declined to comment on the situation.

Please wave only the national flag.

— Protest bannerReinforcing the visual elements of the demonstration.
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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