Mediation Plan Fails: 'Young Woman with Stars and Stripes' Blocks Gate at Olympic Park

Athletic organizations under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee attempted to enter their offices at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium—the site of the 'Jamsil ballot counting station'—following a mediation proposal by the opposition party, but the attempt ultimately failed due to the opposition of a single protester.

Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, announced to reporters and protesters in front of Gate 2-1 of the gymnasium at approximately 4:00 p.m. today (June 16) that he had "ordered the athletic association officials to withdraw as it was not a situation where entry into the stadium was possible."

This announcement came just two hours after he had declared that an agreement had been reached with the athletic organizations and the police to enter the stadium at around 2:10 p.m.

Previously, Jang had proposed a mediation plan where two representatives from each athletic organization would enter the offices inside the stadium one by one to retrieve work materials, with People Power Party lawmakers and two press camera crews accompanying them to broadcast the process live.

After Jang announced the plan and a majority of the protesters on-site expressed their agreement, the proposal was effectively ratified.

Following this, preparations for the entry of the organizations and the press were completed, but a young woman wearing an American flag around her waist held onto the door and began to resist.

[Jang Dong-hyeok / Leader of the People Power Party: If even one person is blocking that door, I have no intention of proceeding with this by force today.]

People Power Party lawmakers and some protesters attempted to persuade the woman for about two hours, but when it proved unsuccessful, Jang ultimately decided to withdraw.

As the entry, which had seemed likely to proceed, fell through, backlash ensued, with shouting and profanities exchanged among the protesters.

Some participants cheered and completely sealed the Gate 2-1 door using duct tape and rope.

On the other hand, officials from the athletic organizations and Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Lee Kee-heung, who had hoped to retrieve work materials after 11 days of the ballot counting station blockade, left the scene looking bewildered.

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Jung Yong-hee | Graphics by Lee Jung-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.