Office worker Kim, a person surnamed Kim (32), who lives near Olympic Park in Songpa District, Seoul, has been attending protests against the shortage of ballot papers that occurred during the 9th nationwide local elections held simultaneously (June 3 local elections). Kim said this was because it was necessary to speak out on an important issue where suffrage was being infringed.
But Kim said he would no longer attend protests held around the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium. Kim said, "I lost affection for it after seeing people cross the line in their words and actions toward police officers or other citizens, or insist on searching belongings without reason."
As the "blockade protest" at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, which had been used as the Songpa District ballot-counting site, entered its seventh day, some in their 20s and 30s who had been leading the protests were saying they were hesitant to take part. Unlike the initial purpose of the protests, fueled by anger over the damage to suffrage, some participants at the scene repeatedly mocked police officers and others or committed violence.
◇ 20s and 30s who had led the protests say "the atmosphere has changed from the beginning"
On the 11th, many on online communities and social media (SNS) said the atmosphere at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium protest site had changed. They said that from a flow criticizing the National Election Commission and demanding a rerun, the so-called "rigged election theory" grew louder, and aggressive actions became more frequent.
An internet user wrote on SNS, "I thought this was an important place to argue for a rerun or to call out a shoddy election, but I felt strange seeing people being driven out and mocked," adding, "As things overheated, I thought they were not suited for this place."
Another internet user said, "I didn't want to go to the Jamsil protests because people who only shouted 'rerun' were being labeled as part of a particular faction, leading even to physical clashes," adding, "At the university statement on the national situation, slogans like 'rigged election' and 'Yoon again' were banned and the protest target was limited to the National Election Commission, so I could attend with an easy mind."
A representative case was the spread of falsehoods toward some police officers, such as "Aren't you Chinese public security?" and "Aren't you fake police?" On this, an internet user said, "I saw (protesters) surrounding the police and engaging in ijime (bullying)," adding, "Unless they're trying to ruin the rally, I can't understand it."
◇ Assault and defamation complaints continue
Physical clashes have also been recurring at the scene. There was even a case where some protesters labeled another participant as a member of the Progressive University Students Union and assaulted the person. The victim, A in their 30s, filed a petition with the Songpa Police Station in Seoul on the 9th on charges including assault and defamation.
There was also a case where, after participating in a protest and posting on SNS calling for a "rerun," the person was subjected to a flood of malicious comments and filed a complaint on charges including defamation and insult.
There are also claims that portrait rights are being frequently violated at the scene. For example, people film the faces of police officers at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium site and share the images.
Attorney Bang Min-woo of Min Law Firm said, "If there is an intent to slander by spreading specific facts such as a person's occupation and face to lower their social evaluation, both the original poster and the commenters could be liable for the crime of defamation and for damages."
◇ Police say "we will respond actively if violent or extreme actions occur"
As the "blockade protest" drags on, sports organizations that use offices inside the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium are pleading, "Let us work." They said issues from participating in international competitions to paying allowances have been blocked. They also held a press conference that day and called for the intervention of public authority.
The head of the Songpa Police Station in Seoul, who recently expressed an intention to resign due to a chronic illness, instructed that if violent behavior leads to assault, on-site commanders such as the Head of Team and unit leaders should deploy their forces to separate those involved and respond actively, including making arrests.
The Songpa Police Station also said, "We will inform people that this is a lawful performance of official duties and ask for citizens' understanding and cooperation, but if acts of insult or obstruction persist, we will clearly warn of the possibility of criminal punishment," adding, "After the warning, for illegal acts that exercise excessive violence or other physical force, we will strictly take measures in accordance with the law and principles, including actively considering on-site arrests such as arresting offenders caught in the act."
Some said the size of the crowd at protests this coming weekend will be critical to sustaining momentum for demonstrations over infringed suffrage. A political source said, "For the protests to gain strength, it is important that the number of participants keeps growing," adding, "As with the protests on the weekend, the key will be whether large numbers of ordinary citizens in their 20s and 30s can gather."