"Don't touch it!" "Let's withdraw." "This is a scam!"
On the evening of October 28, at the handball stadium in Olympic Park, Songpa District, Seoul, loud protests erupted around a counting area where the Election Commission's special investigation team, led by Lee Tae-han, was verifying ballots. Despite attempts at mediation by police and investigation officials, the shouting continued unabated. Kim Min-soo, a senior member of the People Power Party, also approached the table to raise concerns about the verification process.
The special investigation team conducted a voluntary verification of approximately 2.47 million ballots stored at the venue, checking for discrepancies and potential forgeries. In the morning, the process was delayed due to objections from the People Power Party and some observers regarding the allowed filming range. Even after the ballots were opened in the afternoon, disputes broke out across the venue.
At around 3:34 PM, someone shouted, "Tell Lee Tae-han to come in." The shouting resumed at 6:10 PM when the investigation team restricted filming. An observer yelled, "Don't touch it!" followed by protests such as, "I told you to step back," "Let's withdraw," and "You must take full responsibility."
At that time, some observers and reporters were taking turns having dinner. Meanwhile, ballot verification continued at the table. An observer who expressed a desire to withdraw later sat back down to listen to an explanation from the investigation officials.
Another observer explained to a reporter that the individual repeatedly shouting was participating at the recommendation of the People Power Party. Nearby observers gestured for silence or suggested calling the police to proceed with the work.
Around 6:28 PM, about six police officers moved to the counting area. Investigation officials also gathered to provide explanations and mediate. The police stood with their arms crossed or hands clasped while protests from observers persisted.
Another male observer raised his voice, saying, "Are we workers? Listen to us too." Some added, "Make sure to listen to Representative Jang Dong-hyuk's opinions," while others nearby responded with, "The People Power Party members are doing well."
Kim Min-soo began protesting the verification method at the table around 6:32 PM. He argued, "How can one piece be evidence? It needs to be stacked up." He also criticized the participation of Election Commission staff, stating, "The Election Commission shouldn't be sitting here doing this."
Kim demanded, "If the Election Commission staff have something to say, let them speak," asserting, "Counting numbers isn't the important issue right now." Despite the uproar, Election Commission staff continued to verify the ballots without comment. However, the mediation efforts by officials caused disruptions to the verification process.
The special investigation team maintained that Election Commission staff were assisting with the verification of ballot quantities while the overall verification was being conducted by the investigation team. They are examining the condition of the ballots and classifying any suspicious ones for further analysis.
Kim Jin-woo, the special investigator, commented on the evening's disturbances, stating, "It seems there are individuals raising their voices due to independent or personal demands," but added, "Please bear with us as we assess the situation. We will confirm the exact circumstances later."
Investigation officials gathered a short distance away from the table for a brief discussion. Before 7 PM, an observer grabbed a microphone and shouted, "This is a scam!"
Reporters entering the verification site found it difficult to closely observe the situation. They were required to report from a designated area in the second-floor seating, away from the table, and individual filming was restricted. Even as protests continued, there were limitations in understanding the context and handling of statements.
After a morning dispute over filming, the special investigation team allowed two broadcast cameras to record and designated personnel from both parties to film. However, individual observers were still restricted from freely filming or directly touching the ballots. Throughout the afternoon, repeated announcements warned, "Do not touch the ballots," and "You cannot move to another area."
Verification and analysis continued into the evening. Kim, the special investigator, stated around 5:18 PM that analysis using equipment from the National Forensic Service was underway, but did not disclose specific subjects or results. The verification is expected to conclude after midnight, into the early hours of October 29.
On the evening of October 28, at the handball stadium in Olympic Park, Songpa District, Seoul, loud protests erupted around a counting area where the Election Commission's special investigation team, led by Lee Tae-han, was verifying ballots. Despite attempts at mediation by police and investigation officials, the shouting continued unabated. Kim Min-soo, a senior member of the People Power Party, also approached the table to raise concerns about the verification process.
The special investigation team conducted a voluntary verification of approximately 2.47 million ballots stored at the venue, checking for discrepancies and potential forgeries. In the morning, the process was delayed due to objections from the People Power Party and some observers regarding the allowed filming range. Even after the ballots were opened in the afternoon, disputes broke out across the venue.
At around 3:34 PM, someone shouted, "Tell Lee Tae-han to come in." The shouting resumed at 6:10 PM when the investigation team restricted filming. An observer yelled, "Don't touch it!" followed by protests such as, "I told you to step back," "Let's withdraw," and "You must take full responsibility."
At that time, some observers and reporters were taking turns having dinner. Meanwhile, ballot verification continued at the table. An observer who expressed a desire to withdraw later sat back down to listen to an explanation from the investigation officials.
Another observer explained to a reporter that the individual repeatedly shouting was participating at the recommendation of the People Power Party. Nearby observers gestured for silence or suggested calling the police to proceed with the work.
Around 6:28 PM, about six police officers moved to the counting area. Investigation officials also gathered to provide explanations and mediate. The police stood with their arms crossed or hands clasped while protests from observers persisted.
Another male observer raised his voice, saying, "Are we workers? Listen to us too." Some added, "Make sure to listen to Representative Jang Dong-hyuk's opinions," while others nearby responded with, "The People Power Party members are doing well."
Kim Min-soo began protesting the verification method at the table around 6:32 PM. He argued, "How can one piece be evidence? It needs to be stacked up." He also criticized the participation of Election Commission staff, stating, "The Election Commission shouldn't be sitting here doing this."
Kim demanded, "If the Election Commission staff have something to say, let them speak," asserting, "Counting numbers isn't the important issue right now." Despite the uproar, Election Commission staff continued to verify the ballots without comment. However, the mediation efforts by officials caused disruptions to the verification process.
The special investigation team maintained that Election Commission staff were assisting with the verification of ballot quantities while the overall verification was being conducted by the investigation team. They are examining the condition of the ballots and classifying any suspicious ones for further analysis.
Kim Jin-woo, the special investigator, commented on the evening's disturbances, stating, "It seems there are individuals raising their voices due to independent or personal demands," but added, "Please bear with us as we assess the situation. We will confirm the exact circumstances later."
Investigation officials gathered a short distance away from the table for a brief discussion. Before 7 PM, an observer grabbed a microphone and shouted, "This is a scam!"
Reporters entering the verification site found it difficult to closely observe the situation. They were required to report from a designated area in the second-floor seating, away from the table, and individual filming was restricted. Even as protests continued, there were limitations in understanding the context and handling of statements.
After a morning dispute over filming, the special investigation team allowed two broadcast cameras to record and designated personnel from both parties to film. However, individual observers were still restricted from freely filming or directly touching the ballots. Throughout the afternoon, repeated announcements warned, "Do not touch the ballots," and "You cannot move to another area."
Verification and analysis continued into the evening. Kim, the special investigator, stated around 5:18 PM that analysis using equipment from the National Forensic Service was underway, but did not disclose specific subjects or results. The verification is expected to conclude after midnight, into the early hours of October 29.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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