Locked Doors and Mounting Losses: Sports Organizations Demand Action Against Protests

[Anchor]

Sports organizations have once again called for the intervention of public authorities regarding the ongoing blockade protest at the ballot counting station in Seoul Olympic Park. They claim that damages have already reached billions of won, and that national athletes are unable to even retrieve their equipment. The police have issued a strong warning, stating that those who participate in illegal activities could face severe consequences.

Report by Im Jihyeon.

[Reporter]

Nine sports organizations housed in the handball stadium at Seoul Olympic Park, which has been under a blockade protest for eleven days, held another press conference this afternoon (June 15).

Yoo Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, personally stepped forward to appeal for help and once again requested the deployment of public authorities.

[Yoo Seung-min / President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee: Because they have not opened the doors for 11 days, we have suffered financial losses exceeding 6 billion won, and the administrative operations of athletes and coaches have been paralyzed. The survival rights of sports personnel are being infringed upon.]

The situation is critical for national fencing athletes who need to retrieve their equipment to depart for international competitions tomorrow, as well as for the Korea Underwater Association, which must prepare for an international event in Incheon next week. They state they can no longer wait.

While respecting the freedom of assembly and demonstration, the sports organizations emphasized that the rights of other citizens and public functions must not be compromised.

[Secretary General of the Korea Underwater Association: If there is a disruption in competition management and a safety accident occurs during the event, our association could face a situation where we are permanently unable to host international competitions.]

In response to these requests, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jeong-bo stated during a press conference today that the police are reviewing charges of obstruction of business against the protesters.

This is interpreted as a signal that the police, who had previously sought to resolve the issue through dialogue to avoid physical clashes, may now actively deploy public authority.

In particular, regarding the incident on the 8th where the youth national handball team was surrounded and their belongings were searched without permission, Commissioner Park warned, "Because they displayed the power of a crowd, we have applied charges of special coercion, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison," adding, "You could ruin your life if you thoughtlessly join in illegal activities."

The police are currently investigating 15 complaints and accusations related to this incident, including the assault of reporters and the mocking of police officers.

(Video by Yang Ji-hoon, Video Editing by Lee Sang-min, Graphics by Han Heung-soo)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.