Protests over ballot shortages continue for 11th day

Protests demanding a rerun of South Korea's June 3 local elections, which were disrupted by ballot shortages at some polling stations, continued for an eleventh day on Monday. Approximately 200 demonstrators gathered near the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul, a site used for ballot counting. This number is significantly lower than the estimated 20,000 who rallied over the weekend.

The ballot shortages, which temporarily suspended voting at 26 polling stations primarily in Seoul and reportedly caused some voters to leave without casting ballots, have led to an apology from the National Election Commission (NEC). However, the NEC maintains that the shortages do not meet the legal threshold for a rerun of the elections.

A joint investigation by police and prosecutors is underway to examine the NEC's role in the ballot paper deficiencies. Protesters have maintained a blockade of the gymnasium's entrances, aiming to prevent election officials from removing ballot boxes and disrupting operations for sports organizations based in the building. Some protesters intend to hold a separate demonstration later in the day near the presidential office.