As protests around Olympic Park in Songpa District, Seoul, sparked by a shortage of ballots in the 9th nationwide local elections (June 3 local elections), have continued for more than 50 days, police said they would "actively cooperate" with allowing employees of sports organizations under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) to enter the handball arena.
At a regular press briefing on the 27th, Park Jeong-bo, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said, "Expressing opinions on the infringement of the people's suffrage is important, but the rights of the sports committee to carry out its work are also important and must be protected," and stated accordingly.
Administrator Park said, "From the police's standpoint, we have no choice but to put citizens' safety first," adding, "In the event of a physical clash, we may subdue it, and there may be situations where we should not go further."
Police assessed that participation in the Olympic Park rallies has decreased since the launch of the National Assembly's special committee for a parliamentary investigation. Administrator Park said, "It seems citizens are very tired."
According to police, the number of participants in the Olympic Park rallies is around 100 on weekday mornings, 300 to 400 after lunch, and 700 to 800 after evening. Administrator Park said, "Perhaps because of the heat, the trend is falling even on weekends," adding, "At most, 1,500 to 3,000 people gather, but it seems just over 1,000 last week."
Of 113 cases filed in connection with the Olympic Park rallies, police have closed 46 and are currently investigating the remaining 67. Of the 113 cases, 93 involved disputes among rally participants, accounting for the majority.