[On the scene] Waving South Korean flags and chanting “Livestream it!”—‘Olgong protesters’ rally for special prosecutor’s ballot verification

[Financial News] Protesters calling for the verification process to be made public transparently rallied as the special prosecutor team led by Lee Tae-han began a public verification while investigating a ballot shortage in the June 3 local elections.
Around noon on the 28th, at least 500 protesters gathered near Entrance 1-3 of the Handball Gymnasium at Olympic Park in Songpa District, Seoul. Many of them middle-aged or older, they waved South Korean and U.S. flags in front of the police and barricades blocking access to the gymnasium, chanting, “Livestream it!”
A man who took the microphone on a loudspeaker and led the chanting said, “All media outlets should be allowed inside to livestream the scene,” adding, “Otherwise, there’s a strong possibility of manipulation, which would be dangerous.”
Large banners bearing messages such as “The recount is not the end, but the beginning” and “Special prosecutor, don’t leave the verification of 2.47 million ballots to the National Election Commission” hung throughout the Handball Gymnasium. Funeral wreaths bearing messages such as “Let’s uncover election fraud at all costs” and “We will honor the wishes of the Olgong martyrs” were also lined up.
At several booths set up at the site, placards reading “Livestream it!” were continuously made and handed out to participants Other booths provided hand warmers, water and cup noodles.
YouTubers livestreaming the protest and participants wearing vests bearing the words “Olgong Scientific Verification Group” also stood out. Kim, a man in his 70s wearing one of the vests, argued, “Given that election fraud has taken place, we have the right to know what is happening inside in real time,” adding, “If they block the livestream, that will fuel further suspicion and make it difficult to trust the entire verification process.”
At the same time, police officers also stood in a line in front of Entrance 2-3, blocking the protesters from passing through. A police truck was also visible, bearing a large message: “Citizens, please actively cooperate with the special prosecutor’s execution of warrants and verification.” Police have deployed 48 riot police units and around 3,000 personnel to maintain order at the protest site.
Earlier, the special prosecutor team arrived in front of Entrance 2-3 of the gymnasium at around 7:57 a.m. that day, but was unable to enter for about 30 minutes because of tents and banners set up by protesters. After police cleared an access route, the team entered the gymnasium at around 8:28 a.m.
A dispute over whether filming would be permitted continued inside the gymnasium. When the special prosecutor team banned individual observers from filming, citing security concerns and other reasons, lawmakers from the People Power Party and some observers objected.
After discussions, recording was permitted on the second floor of the gymnasium using only two broadcaster cameras. The ban on filming by individual observers remained in place, but one person each designated by the ruling and opposition parties was allowed to photograph ballots suspected of irregularities, among other things. The special prosecutor team announced the start of verification at around 11:49 a.m., about three hours later than originally scheduled.
That day, the special prosecutor team planned to check the number, voting marks and printing condition of approximately 2.47 million ballots from Songpa District. Ballots suspected of irregularities were to be examined using equipment provided by the police and the National Forensic Service, among others, and separately classified if they required detailed analysis. The team also planned to analyze CCTV footage from the ballot storage site and examine whether there had been any outside intrusion.

[email protected] Seong-hyun Park Reporter