Police vow firm response to illegal acts at Olympic Park protest, now in 18th day

A protest sparked by a ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections has entered its 18th consecutive day with no sign of ending. Police reaffirmed Monday that they will not intervene in the demonstrations themselves but will take a firm stance against any illegal acts at the scene.

Yoo Jae-seong, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, told reporters at a regular press briefing at police headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on Monday that authorities would "respect and protect the legitimate exercise of sovereign rights to the fullest extent." He added, however, that "we will respond strictly to any illegal acts that undermine the rule of law and cause inconvenience to other citizens."

Yoo said police are thoroughly pursuing a total of 36 cases related to the vote-counting site, including an unlawful search targeting female handball players and obstruction of business by blocking access to the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee.

He said police had identified nine people — five men and four women — through evidence collected in connection with obstruction-of-business charges stemming from a Korean Sport and Olympic Committee official's attempt to enter the premises on June 16. Of those nine, the identities of two — one man and one woman — had been confirmed and they had been summoned for questioning, he said.

The person known online as "All d'Arc" was not among the two summoned. The nickname, coined in some conservative online communities, refers to a female protester who was seen gripping a door handle with both hands to block the committee official's entry attempt.

Police said they are prepared to actively support any future entry attempts by the committee. "The committee's right of access is a right of the people, something they are fully entitled to assert, and police believe it must be respected," a police official said. "If the committee expresses its intention to enter, police will step forward, actively work to persuade those blocking the way, and make every effort to facilitate access. If access is blocked in that process, we will launch a swift and strict investigation."

Police also said the size of the protest appears to be gradually shrinking. "As many as 38,000 people gathered on the first weekend after the ballot boxes were transported," a police official said. "Turnout was lower on the second weekend than the first, and on the third — last weekend — numbers dropped significantly, partly due to rain. Weekday attendance also appears to be declining."

The prolonged demonstration has taken a toll on officers deployed to the scene. Police said six riot unit members have sustained minor injuries. Officers reporting psychological distress are being offered legal counseling and emergency mental health support.