▲ Protesters hold a 'polling station blockade' demonstration in front of the Handball Gymnasium at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 10th, denouncing the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections.
The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) has requested minimal cooperation, stating that the recent protests around the Handball Gymnasium in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, are hindering preparations for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The KSOC stated today (June 10) that "the protests around the Handball Gymnasium have restricted access to the offices of numerous member sports federations located within the venue, causing significant difficulties in performing administrative duties."
Currently, the sports federations housed in the facility are responsible for essential administrative tasks, including preparations for international competitions, the operation of domestic tournaments, and the certification of sports instructors.
However, as the access restrictions have been prolonged, some organizations have been hit hard in their international operations and competition preparations, as they are unable to access necessary documents, One-Time Password (OTP) generators for financial transfers, and various sports equipment and supplies.
The KSOC expressed concern, stating, "While we respect the freedom of assembly and demonstration as a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution and hold no political stance on the related issues, critical administrative services—such as supporting national team training for the upcoming Asian Games and conducting practical and oral qualification exams for sports instructors in over 70 disciplines—are on the verge of paralysis."
The committee further appealed, "Conditions must be secured as soon as possible to allow for the retrieval of at least minimal administrative supplies to ensure the normal operation of sports organizations."
The KSOC announced that it will work closely with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, and the police, to devise countermeasures and continuously monitor the situation to ensure the continuity of the sports federations' operations.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.