Sports Organizations Fail to Enter Office Again; National Fencing Team Departs with Borrowed Gear

[Anchor]

A blockade protest has entered its 13th day in front of the ballot counting center at Seoul Olympic Park, where sports organizations have once again failed to gain access. The government has issued an additional statement, condemning the actions as a collapse of social law and order.

Reporter Jeong Jiyeon has the story.

[Reporter]

In front of Gate 2-1 of the Seoul Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, where conflict persisted throughout yesterday (June 16) over the entry of tenant sports organizations.

With both lawmakers and sports officials having retreated from the scene, protesters continued to chant slogans demanding a "re-election due to fraudulent voting" late into the night.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, which failed to enter the stadium, stated they were even willing to enter alongside the protesters, but expressed bewilderment that it ultimately fell through.

A committee official pointed out, "We cannot enter because public authority is not being properly enforced."

The committee appealed that the damage is significant, including disruptions to preparations for the Incheon World Finswimming Championships scheduled for the 22nd, and announced plans to support the administrative work of sports organizations from a temporary office for the time being.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung stated in a public address yesterday, "It is deeply regrettable that numerous illegal cases infringing upon law and social order are occurring at some protest sites."

[Yun Ho-jung/Minister of the Interior and Safety: Acts that undermine the rule of law in our society, such as private inspections or the occupation of facilities, cannot be justified for any reason.]

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also criticized the situation, asking, "By what right are they blocking legitimate passage?" Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho emphasized on social media that "private inspections and private confinement are grounds for punishment as flagrant offenses."

The police are considering charges of obstruction of business against a female protester who blocked the stadium entrance yesterday afternoon.

(Reported by Kim Han-gyeol | Video by Lee Sang-min)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.