Nearly 300 Under Investigation for Illegal Acts at Vote Counting Center... Police Vow Strict Response

Two Detained for Obstruction of Official Duties and Related Charges

The number of individuals under investigation for illegal activities at the protest site in front of the vote counting center at Olympic Park in Seoul has nearly reached 300. The police have maintained their stance of respecting freedom of expression while responding strictly to unlawful acts.

At a press briefing held on the 13th, Park Jeongbo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, was asked about the ongoing investigation into illegal activities at the Olympic Park vote counting center in Songpa-gu, Seoul. He stated, "There are currently 99 cases under investigation involving 289 individuals." He added, "The number of suspects increased significantly after police officers who were insulted extracted and submitted online user IDs of those who attacked them on the internet."

Members of the National Assembly's Special Committee on the National Audit visited the vote counting center in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 2nd, where a protester blocking the entrance was being arrested by the police. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Association

Commissioner Park explained, "By type, the cases are classified as obstruction of the Korea Sports Council's work, illegal search of youth handball players, obstruction of official duties through insulting language or behavior toward police officers, assault on journalists, assaults and threats resulting from disputes among participants, and the posting of dangerous materials. Most of the cases stem from disputes among participants."

Of those involved, two individuals have been detained on charges of obstruction of official duties, while some others have been referred for prosecution without detention.

Regarding a woman in her 30s, known as 'Oldark', who blocked entry to the handball arena by a sports organization at the scene, the police have completed the first round of questioning and stated that they will determine the need for further investigation at a later time.

Commissioner Park stated, "Going forward, the police will ensure the right to peaceful and orderly expression of opinions, while strictly managing any illegal acts committed individually."

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