All-Night Standoff in Jamsil 7-dong as Ballot Boxes Remain; 470 Police Deployed

Voting Extended by 4 Hours in Jamsil 7-dong Due to Ballot Shortage
Hundreds of Citizens and YouTubers Gather to Protest Alleged Election Fraud

An all-night standoff continued at the Second Voting Station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, where a shortage of ballot papers occurred on the main voting day of the 9th Nationwide Local Elections. The police deployed a force of nearly 500 personnel, including riot police.

According to the police on June 4, approximately 470 officers had been dispatched to the Second Voting Station in Jamsil 7-dong as of 3:00 a.m. Hundreds of people, including citizens and conservative YouTubers, gathered at the site, surrounding the entrance to the apartment complex and chanting slogans such as "Election Fraud," "Stop the Counting," and "Invalidate the Vote." Unofficial police estimates put the crowd at between 200 and 300 people.

Citizens opposing the removal of ballot boxes are chanting slogans all night in front of the Second Voting Station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The Second Voting Station in Jamsil 7-dong is one of 14 polling stations in Seoul that experienced a ballot paper shortage. On the previous day, some residents who were unable to vote by 6:00 p.m. were issued waiting tickets and allowed to vote until 10:00 p.m. Although voting has ended, the counting has not proceeded as citizens are blocking the removal of ballot boxes.

At around 12:30 a.m., the police initially deployed 50 riot police officers to the scene to redirect vehicles attempting to enter the vicinity of the polling station or nearby roads. As the standoff intensified, it appears that the number of personnel deployed on site was significantly increased.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission issued a statement saying, "We are in agreement with the National Election Commission," but added, "We have decided not to forcibly transport the ballot boxes from the Second Voting Station in Jamsil 7-dong." The intention was to avoid a forced removal due to concerns over possible physical confrontation at the site. However, the commission also stated that transporting the ballot boxes is inevitable to complete the vote counting, clarifying that they have not withdrawn their intent to proceed with the transfer.

Earlier, Assemblyman Kim Jaeseop of the People Power Party visited the polling station to mediate the situation, followed by fellow party member Assemblywoman Kim Eunhye, who strongly protested. Arriving at 12:40 a.m., Assemblywoman Kim Eunhye criticized, "Deliberately delivering ballot papers and voting machines late to unfavorable areas is what the Maduro regime in Venezuela did." After meeting with election commission officials, Assemblyman Kim Jaeseop stated, "The actions of the election commission seriously violate the right to vote and citizens' suffrage guaranteed by the Constitution," and pointed out that this "seriously undermines fair elections."

Meanwhile, at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, protesters claiming that "this election is fraudulent" held a demonstration. The group, initially led by YouTuber Jeon Hangil, a former Korean history instructor, moved their protest to the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, after he indicated the new gathering location on his personal broadcast.

The National Election Commission issued a public apology at 9:00 p.m. on the previous day, stating, "For Songpa-gu, it appears that ballot papers were printed for 50% of all voters," and added, "We need to investigate why there was still a shortage, even though there were early voters."

Meanwhile, the Citizens' Committee for Livelihood Countermeasures filed a police complaint against Noh Taeak, Chairperson of the National Election Commission; Heo Cheolhun, Secretary General; Oh Minseok, Chairperson of the Seoul Election Commission; and Kim Beomjin, Secretary General, alleging abuse of authority and dereliction of duty.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.