▲ Yoo Jae-sung, Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, answers questions from reporters during a briefing on "Public Statement by Relevant Ministries Regarding Infringement of Voting Rights and Collective Protests Near Jamsil Counting Station" held at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 16th.
Yoo Jae-sung, Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, reiterated his stance on responding strictly to illegal activities occurring during the "Jamsil counting station blockade protests" today (June 22).
During a regular press conference held today, Acting Commissioner General Yoo stated, "Regarding serious illegal acts such as the use of weapons or collective assault, we will take swift and decisive measures, including arresting offenders in the act if deemed necessary by on-site commanders."
He added, "We will hold those responsible strictly accountable by thoroughly collecting evidence and conducting follow-up investigations into illegal acts that infringe upon the rights of others, as well as acts of assault and intimidation, in accordance with the law and principles."
Acting Commissioner General Yoo noted that the police would respect and protect the expression of opinions regarding the infringement of voting rights as a legitimate exercise of sovereignty, stating, "We will perform our duties fairly while maintaining political neutrality to ensure that the public has no cause for concern."
The police are currently investigating 36 cases related to the Jamsil protests, including the searching of personal belongings of the women's youth national handball team, obstruction of access to the stadium for the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, and assault against reporters.
For the nine individuals who obstructed access to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, police have applied charges of obstruction of business based on collected evidence, and have summoned one man and one woman for questioning after identifying them.
However, it was confirmed that the woman identified as "A," who is referred to as "Ol-darc" (a portmanteau of Olympic Park and Joan of Arc) in hardline conservative online communities for single-handedly blocking the entry of sports organizations on the 16th, was not among the two individuals identified.
Acting Commissioner General Yoo stated, "We will actively provide support if the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee requests assistance with access in the future," adding, "If a request is made, the police plan to deploy a large number of liaison officers and detectives to persuade and warn protesters, and conduct strict investigations should any further obstruction of access occur."
Regarding the issue of moving the ballot boxes currently inside the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, which serves as a counting station, Acting Commissioner General Yoo provided a principled response, saying, "I believe the issue will only be resolved once a social consensus is reached regarding the ballot boxes."
However, he added that since the main voting period has concluded, the situation is different from the one on the 5th, when police forcibly dispersed protesters to remove ballot boxes from the Jamsil 7-dong No. 2 polling station.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.