As the blockade of the Jamsil Handball Arena continues following a shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korean Sports Council, has strongly urged the government to intervene. The ongoing situation has increasingly impacted sports organizations, leading to significant losses.
On June 15, Yoo and officials from nine member sports organizations—including billiards, dance sports, mountaineering, sepak takraw, water skiing, underwater fin swimming, wushu, fencing, and handball—held a press conference at the Olympic Parktel in Songpa-gu, Seoul, calling for guaranteed access to their workplaces and the release of essential supplies.
Yoo stated, "This situation is obstructing public duties entrusted by the state, and the rights and livelihoods of athletes and sports professionals are being infringed upon. The Constitution of the Republic of Korea guarantees not only the freedom of assembly but also the right to choose one’s profession and the right to work. It is unacceptable for workplace access to be restricted without just cause, making normal operations impossible for an extended period."
He added, "As the damage continues to escalate, the Korean Sports Council and the member organizations will take responsible actions if the disruption and damages are confirmed. We will thoroughly investigate the facts and consider all legal responses, including civil and criminal liabilities." Yoo formally requested the government to deploy public power to resolve the situation promptly.
According to the Korean Sports Council, 79 employees of the sports associations stationed at the handball arena have been working from home since June 5. The prolonged protests by citizens have prevented the removal of accounting equipment (such as OTP devices, joint certificates, and corporate cards) and uniforms necessary for administrative tasks, effectively paralyzing operations.
Delays in payments for national team coaching fees, employee salaries, and social insurance contributions have resulted in an estimated loss of 6 billion won for the sports organizations.
Particularly affected are the sports organizations preparing for international competitions. The fencing team is scheduled to depart for the Asian Championships on June 16 but has been unable to gather essential equipment, including personal fencing blades and jackets.
A representative from the fencing association lamented, "Due to global supply issues exacerbated by the Russia-Iran conflict, we are scrambling to borrow blades and prepare for the competition. We are also embarrassed to inform foreign agencies that we cannot pay for airline and hotel costs due to financial disruptions."
The underwater fin swimming association, which is set to host a world championship next week, is facing serious challenges in preparing for the arrival of foreign teams due to visa issuance and hotel arrangements.
The protests have also led to secondary damages due to aggressive actions by citizens. Young handball players have faced bag searches while trying to access facilities, and staff attempting to retrieve documents were surrounded by over 100 citizens, facing verbal abuse and requiring medical treatment.
One federation official reported receiving threatening phone calls after their business card and photo were circulated while trying to negotiate with the protesters.
Following the ballot shortage on election day, citizens have been protesting daily in front of the handball arena designated as a counting center.
What began as a protest led by young individuals condemning the election commission's ballot shortage has grown in size as supporters of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and Jeon Han-gil, a lecturer who has previously claimed election fraud, have joined the demonstrations. They have clashed with athletes attempting to enter the arena and have caused controversy by inspecting players' belongings.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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