Key facts
- Prime Minister Kim Min-seok vowed stern action against illegal acts by ballot protesters.
- Protesters have been blocking entrances to the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium for 12 days.
- The protests stem from ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections.
- Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung condemned illegal activities such as private inspections of belongings.
- The National Election Commission acknowledged ballot shortages but maintained they did not affect election outcomes.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok declared on Tuesday that the government will take stern action against any illegal activities associated with protests that have arisen due to ballot shortages in the recent local elections. Hundreds of protesters have been demonstrating for 12 consecutive days around the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul, demanding a rerun of the June 3 mayoral and gubernatorial elections. These elections were reportedly marred by unprecedented ballot shortages, leading to the suspension of voting at 26 polling stations. Although the gymnasium was initially used as a vote counting center, vote counting has since been completed, yet protesters continue to block access, even for authorized sports officials. Prime Minister Kim emphasized that while the government respects legitimate complaints regarding suffrage, restricting others' rights under the guise of protest is unjustifiable and a serious crime. He further stated that blocking access to the gymnasium, especially after vote counting has concluded, has no valid reason and that the government will respond sternly to set an example. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung echoed these sentiments, expressing regret over illegal acts such as searching through the belongings of members of the women's national youth handball team. He asserted that acts undermining the rule of law, like private inspections and facility occupation, cannot be justified. Yun pledged to ensure lawful protests but characterized acts that violate others' rights, such as restricting stadium access, as serious criminal acts. The National Election Commission has apologized for the ballot shortages, attributing them to an incorrect prediction of voter turnout, but maintained that these shortages did not warrant a rerun or alter the election results. A joint investigation by the prosecution and police is currently examining the case.