Due to a shortage of ballot papers at some polling stations in the June 3 local elections, protests are unfolding outside official venues in places including Seoul and Daegu.
According to an informal police estimate, as of 11:30 p.m. on the 3rd, about 500 protesters condemning election fraud gathered at the plaza in front of Government Complex Seoul in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, to demonstrate against the ballot paper shortage and other issues.
They chanted slogans such as "Invalidate the fraudulent election at the source" and "Immediately stop the behind-closed-doors vote count." Some waved the Taegeukgi in one hand and the Stars and Stripes in the other.
In response, police urgently deployed mobile units and blocked the area in front of the government complex to prepare for contingencies.
Behind the protesters' surprise nighttime assembly was Jeon Hangil, a Korean history instructor. Through his personal internet broadcast, Jeon said, "The results of this election are utterly unacceptable and void," and urged, "Citizens who share this view, gather in Gwanghwamun right now."
After the National Election Commission announced it would convene an emergency meeting at midnight, Jeon changed the gathering point to the Gwacheon office of the commission. The protest crowd then moved to Gwacheon, and only some remained at Gwanghwamun Plaza for solo protests and the like.
As of 12:31 a.m. on the 4th, about 100 people had also gathered in front of the Jung District National Election Commission office in Daegu, chanting slogans such as "Stop the vote count" and "Dissolve the election commission." Holding placards reading "fraudulent election," they condemned the commission. Police deployed about 60 personnel at the scene to prepare for contingencies.