Protests Continue Over Ballot Box Delays in Seoul

Protesters gather outside the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, opposing the removal of ballot boxes due to a shortage of ballots during the 9th nationwide local elections and by-elections on June 4. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Protests are ongoing at the Jamsil 7-dong polling station in Songpa-gu, Seoul, where supporters of election fraud allegations are blocking the removal of ballot boxes amid a ballot shortage.

According to Yonhap News, as of 7 p.m. on June 4, approximately 600 people, including conservative YouTubers and citizens, gathered around the polling station set up at the Wuseong Apartment community center. They are demanding the preservation of two ballot boxes containing about 2,000 ballots.

Unlike the previous day, the protest was calmer, with participants sitting in front of the polling station and listening to speakers. This contrasted with the heightened tension over the possibility of forced entry.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty and Innovation Party, encouraged supporters to gather from the morning. When YouTuber Jeon Han-gil (real name Jeon Yu-gwan), a former history instructor, arrived, participants chanted his name.

At around 6:45 p.m., Jeon took the microphone and stated, "A re-election must be conducted without fail. This location is more important than the National Election Commission in Gwacheon. We must protect the ballot boxes at all costs."

However, he emphasized the need to avoid extreme actions, warning that noise from the protesters could provide justification for police intervention due to complaints from nearby residents.

Douglas Frank, an American member of the 'Korea-U.S. Joint Election Fraud Investigation Team,' also attended the protest, claiming to investigate allegations of election fraud. He arrived in South Korea on May 28 with Professor Moss Tan (Korean name: Dan Hyeon-myeong) from Liberty University, who is under investigation for spreading false information related to President Lee Jae-myung.

Earlier, the National Election Commission officially declared the end of voting at 11:50 p.m. the previous day. However, due to the ongoing protests, the ballot boxes have not been transported to the counting center for over 19 hours.

Additionally, a constitutional complaint has been filed, claiming that the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections infringed on fundamental rights, including the right to vote. The Constitutional Court has accepted the case regarding the alleged unconstitutionality of the ballot shortage during the 9th nationwide local elections.

* This article has been translated by AI.

LEE EUNBYEOL