"Where do you think you're going?" Democratic Party lawmakers who visited the vote-counting protest site were turned away in 15 minutes

[Financial News] The Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers visited the site of the protest blocking access to the Jamsil vote-counting center to call for the normalization of work by sports organizations, but they were unable to even approach the entrance and withdrew after 15 minutes amid fierce backlash from participants.
On the morning of the 17th, in front of the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Olympic Park in Songpa District, dozens of participants rushed toward the gate as Cheon Jun-ho, Jeon Yong-gi, and Im Ok-kyung of the Democratic Party moved toward Gate 2-1 with Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC). They blocked the lawmakers' path while chanting slogans such as "A rerun election for election fraud" and "Democratic Party, get out."
Cheon said, "We respect the voices calling for the protection of citizens' voting rights," and asked that access be allowed for officials from sports organizations. He also emphasized that the ruling and opposition parties had agreed to push for a parliamentary investigation into the shortage of ballot papers, but no dialogue took place.
Before leaving, Cheon said, "We came here to discuss solutions together, but this does not seem like an appropriate time to talk," adding, "Even if you speak out against violations of voting rights, please refrain from obstructing the public's passage and the work of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee."
The day before, under mediation by People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, two representatives from each sports organization were to enter the gymnasium with lawmakers and broadcast cameras to remove work-related items. However, the attempt fell apart when one female participant blocked the entrance.
 

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee says the blockade of the gymnasium is disrupting national team training, preparations for international competitions, and salary payments for staff. Police are investigating participants who blocked access for sports organization employees on suspicion of obstruction of business. Fifteen other illegal acts, including assault and obstruction of business during the blockade, are also under investigation.
The protest blocking the Jamsil vote-counting center entered its 13th day on this date. More than 50 people gathered from the morning in front of Gate 2-1, where the previous day's attempt to enter had failed. Participants, some barefoot and holding Bibles or waving the Flag of South Korea and the Stars and Stripes, shouted slogans such as "A rerun election for election fraud" and "Hand-count ballots on election day."
The door handles were wrapped with duct tape, and placards reading "preserve evidence" and "at least 20 people on site" were posted nearby. One participant even lay down on a sleeping bag at the entrance. As temperatures rose to around 31 degrees Celsius, protesters sat in the shade and continued chanting. An ice cream freezer also appeared at the site.
The slogans, which initially focused on a "rerun election," have expanded to include "election fraud," "abolish early voting," and "hand-count ballots on election day." Large Stars and Stripes flags and signs reading "The Dec. 3 martial law was justified" also appeared. As people in their 20s and 30s, who initially tried to keep politics out of the protest, returned to their daily lives, the share of middle-aged and older participants increased. According to Seoul Metropolitan Government real-time urban data, people aged 50 and older accounted for 43.3% of the population around Olympic Park at 2 p.m. that day.
Meanwhile, election petitions challenging the validity of the election itself close at midnight on this day. As of the previous day, 120 cases had been filed nationwide. The deadline for petitions challenging election results runs through the 18th, while Songpa District, where the final winner was announced later, has until the 19th. An NEC official said, "It is difficult to confirm whether any petitions related to Songpa District have been filed."

425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter