[Report] One week into the ballot shortage crisis, a 'Jamsil Situation Board' has even appeared

[Financial News] On the 10th, a protest in Songpa District, Seoul, triggered by the shortage of ballots for the June 3 local elections entered its seventh day. What began at a polling station in Jamsil-dong has now moved to the counting center at Olympic Park and has taken on the character of a prolonged sit-in.
Around 500 protesters were stationed near the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium that morning, spread out around each entrance. Waving the Taegeukgi, they chanted slogans such as "rerun the election over election fraud" and "hand-count ballots on election day." By the weekend, the slogans, which had centered on demands for a rerun, had broadened into calls for changes to voting methods and ballot-counting procedures.
As the protest dragged on, the scene began to resemble everyday life. Participants got by on instant noodles and snacks, while parasols and cooling supplies were placed throughout the area to beat the heat. Hand warmers, insect repellent, and mosquito nets also appeared for those staying overnight. Near the gymnasium, a coffee truck and a large air-conditioned bus draped with U.S. flag banners were also parked.
As the protest became intertwined with daily life at Olympic Park, ordinary citizens naturally blended into the scene. By the afternoon, as on previous weekdays, the number of participants had grown to several thousand. Families out for a walk with strollers and visitors with pets stopped to read the signs around the gymnasium. Some paused to listen to the slogans or film the scene on their phones. A woman in her 30s, identified as A, who had come to the park with her child, said, "I came here for a walk at first, and then I found out what was going on." She added, "I had heard that there was a shortage of ballots, but seeing it here makes me feel like this is a problem that has gone on for much longer than I expected."
In front of each entrance, participants stayed overnight with mosquito nets and other supplies set up. B, a protester in his 40s, said, "It is hard on the body, but I think we have to raise the issue somehow." He added, "We cannot just let the shortage of ballots slide."

The situation on the ground could also be checked online. The site called the 'Jamsil Situation Board' listed the location of the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium linked to Google Maps, along with the number of people waiting at each of the 10 entrances and the status of water, beverages, first aid, and hygiene supplies. A live YouTube stream from the site was linked at the top, and news and opinions about the rally posted on social networking service (SNS) platforms were gathered in one place. The live stream that drew the most viewers that day was estimated to have about 3,000 people connected.
The site also included a feature for sending donation items. However, some people exploited the fact that anyone could access it and submitted false reports of item deliveries, including claims such as 'prison letters' and 'impeachment cafe.'
Among the protesters, opinions are also divided over how the rally should be run. Some argue that, as participation declines over time, a leadership team should be elected to organize the protest more systematically. Others counter that it should remain a spontaneous action by ordinary citizens. There are also concerns that once a specific group takes the lead, the nature of the rally could change.
Tensions have also continued over the self-imposed access control that has been in place since the early days of the protest. That morning, KSOC staff tried to enter the office inside the gymnasium, but protesters pushed back and they eventually turned away. At the scene, some said, "People coming to do work should be allowed in," while others insisted, "No one should be allowed inside the counting center." Some participants also demanded identity checks for those entering and escort monitoring.
Olympic Park Management, which oversees the counting center, said it does not see major difficulties in managing the park despite the prolonged protest. A park official said, "Our on-site staff have been wearing body cameras in case of emergencies, but over the past week there has been no situation that required us to actually use the equipment." Still, with only about 30 to 40 staff members responsible for managing a park covering 430,000 pyeong, some say that if the protest involving tens of thousands of people drags on, safety and order on site will effectively have to rely on police power.
Police have deployed personnel around the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium to prepare for unexpected situations. Earlier, Police said they would respond strictly to any self-directed inspections by protesters and any acts of violence.
Meanwhile, student councils from major universities nationwide were set to issue a joint statement on the ballot shortage crisis at around 6 p.m. that day.

425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter