As the "Jamsim ballot counting center protest," sparked by backlash over a ballot shortage, entered its 18th day, police are currently investigating 36 related cases.
Yu Jae-seong, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing on the 22nd that authorities are "conducting a thorough investigation" and would "hold those responsible to account."
Cases police are currently investigating include illegal search acts targeting a female handball player and obstruction of business by blocking entry to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), as well as assaults among citizens, insults and defamation against police officers, and the spreading of false information.
Police identified nine people who blocked Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) officials when they tried to enter the Olympic Park Handball Arena in Seoul on the 16th. Of them, the identities of two have been confirmed, and they have been asked to appear.
Yu said, "Police will respect and protect to the fullest the legitimate exercise of sovereignty in which citizens voluntarily gather to express their views on infringements of voting rights," but added, "We will respond sternly to illegal acts that undermine the rule of law and inconvenience other citizens."
She added, "For serious illegal acts such as the use of weapons and group assaults, we will take swift and resolute action, including arresting offenders in the act when necessary at the discretion of on-site commanders," and noted, "For illegal acts of spreading false information that cause social unrest, we are promptly launching investigations and deleting or blocking related information."
The Olympic Park Handball Arena was used as the Songpa District ballot counting center during the 9th nationwide local elections (the June 3 local elections). Since the 5th, citizens trying to block ballot boxes and ballots from being taken out of the counting center have been blocking the entrances to the Handball Arena and continuing their protest.