Yoo Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC), has requested the intervention of public authorities as the restricted access to the handball stadium at Olympic Park, caused by the 'Jamsil vote counting center protest,' continues to drag on.
During a press conference held today (June 15) with nine sports associations to "appeal for the normalization of operations," President Yoo stated, "The financial losses due to the administrative vacuum have reached 6 billion won, and there are significant setbacks in supporting athletes ahead of the Asian Games."
He further added, "We will thoroughly verify the facts and review all legal response measures, including civil and criminal liability," while urging the government and police to "recognize the severity of the damage to sports organizations and provide a swift resolution to the situation."
[Yoo Seung-min / President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee: However, I believe that no right should be exercised in a way that infringes upon the rights of other citizens or public functions. Sports personnel are not parties to this conflict.]
According to the KSOC, the restricted access to administrative spaces within the handball stadium has now entered its 10th day, leaving core administrative tasks—such as supporting national athletes and preparing for international competitions—virtually paralyzed.
The national fencing team, which is preparing to participate in the Asian Fencing Championships, and the Korea Underwater Association, which is preparing to host the World Finswimming Championships in Incheon, are currently struggling as they are unable to retrieve essential training equipment and materials on time.
Previously, criticism erupted after some participants of the Jamsil protest blocked junior female handball national team athletes from entering the stadium to retrieve training equipment, such as balls, and proceeded to conduct their own 'censorship' of the items the athletes were carrying out.
[Protest Participant (June 8, Jamsil Gymnasium, Seoul): (Can I check this?) Open it up.]
It is also reported that there are significant setbacks in administrative processes, including delays in salary payments.
According to the KSOC and other sources, the payment of salaries for national athletes, coaches, and sports organization staff, as well as the payment of taxes and utility bills, are currently being delayed, while the inability to use offices is further hindering administrative operations.
Reported by Dong Eun-young | Produced by Kim Jiuk | Video by Yang Ji-hoon | Video Editing by Lee Ui-seon | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.