Songpa Polling Station: Riot Police Deployed as Ballot Box Removal Attempt Blocked

Police have deployed riot police to the No. 2 polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, to block attempts to move ballot boxes outside the station due to a ballot paper shortage. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the morning of the 5th that riot police and other forces were mobilized, and a dispersal order was issued to the protestors who had blockaded the polling station. Police stated they received a request for cooperation from the election commission for escorting ballot boxes, maintaining order, and securing vehicle access. The riot police attempted to disperse the protestors who were guarding the ballot boxes.

At the No. 2 polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, where voting was delayed due to a shortage of ballot papers during the June 3 local election, some voters were unable to cast their ballots. A standoff between protestors, who raised suspicions of election fraud, and the election commission has continued for over 30 hours, with the protestors blocking the removal of ballot boxes. The protestors demanded a halt to the vote count, waving the national flag and singing the national anthem. Some formed a scrum at the polling station entrance to prevent police entry.

The previous evening, one election official from Songpa-gu inside the polling station was taken to the hospital complaining of health issues. Election commission officials were reported to be isolated inside the polling station.