According to Yonhap News, around 1,000 police officers from 18 riot control units were deployed to the scene starting at 7:30 a.m. They attempted to enter the polling station through a back door at approximately 8:20 a.m., but about 50 protesters formed a human barricade to block their access, resulting in a physical confrontation.
Police have been removing protesters one by one and are controlling access to the roads surrounding the polling station to prevent additional demonstrators from joining. The protesters have reportedly been singing the national anthem in protest against the police actions.
By around 8 a.m., Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the Liberty Korea Party, and lawmaker Kim Eun-hye arrived to support the protesters and voice their objections to the police. However, police operations continued.
The Songpa Police Station stated that the actions were taken at the request of the Seoul Election Commission to ensure the safe transport of ballot boxes and maintain order at the site. They warned that acts of violence, threats, or confinement against election officials, as well as damage to election facilities, could lead to penalties under the Public Official Election Act.
The police also informed the crowd that assaults on officers or obstruction of their duties could result in legal consequences and urged them to disperse, but the protesters appeared to be gathering more closely.
The polling station is currently holding two ballot boxes containing approximately 2,000 ballots. Election authorities explained that the counting process for these boxes must be completed before the results of the mayoral election can be finalized.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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