No end in sight for Olympic Park protest as police reach breaking point

A three-week-old protest at Olympic Park shows no sign of ending. Police have maintained their policy of non-intervention short of illegal activity, while demonstrators have been spotted preparing for the approaching monsoon season. Officers tasked with keeping order at the scene are nearing their physical and mental limits, yet there is no telling when the protest might conclude.

Around 10 a.m. Wednesday, about 300 demonstrators gathered in front of the handball arena at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, chanting slogans such as "fraudulent election — hold a re-election" and "hand-count ballots on election day." The protest, now in its 20th consecutive day, began in response to a ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections. Demonstrators have been blocking the removal of ballot boxes from polling stations that ran short of ballots — boxes stored inside the arena — while demanding a re-election and changes to voting procedures.

Signs of long-term occupation were visible throughout the site. Eight tents and mosquito nets had been erected in front of gates 2-5 of the handball arena, used by protesters who spend the night at the scene — a clear indication that the demonstration has settled into an extended campaign.

Demonstrators said they would hold their ground until their demands were met. A 21-year-old surnamed Lee, who spoke to reporters at the scene, said he works nights and returns to Olympic Park during the day. "I've been coming every day since we first gathered at Woosung Apartments right after the local elections," he said. "I'm a little scared about the possibility of a forced dispersal, but everyone here has made up their mind to hold out for months."

A 34-year-old surnamed Jang, who attends on weekdays, said she has resolved to stand guard in front of the entrance until a re-election is held. "When I have to go to work on weekends, I always find someone to take my place through social media before I leave," she said.

Jang acknowledged that the crowd has been thinning. "People are gradually leaving — it seems like they're getting disillusioned because everyone keeps fighting and calling each other 'Daejinyeon,'" she said, using a term for a faction within the protest movement. "But those who remain are all preparing for a long fight."

A 44-year-old surnamed Lee who lives in Songpa-gu said he has come every day since the initial gathering at Woosung Apartments. "Our goal is a re-election. I will keep coming until that happens," he said. A 55-year-old surnamed Kim who traveled from Pyeongtaek said he plans to weather the monsoon rains. "When the rainy season starts, I intend to hold out even if it means setting up a tent," he said.

Despite their resolve for a prolonged campaign, the protesters have struggled to speak with one voice. With no single organization leading the demonstration, internal coordination has been largely absent. When the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee and various sports federations requested access to the arena on June 17, the protesters were divided into three camps: those in favor of cooperating, those who would agree only if YouTubers accompanied the officials, and those who were flatly opposed. Opposition party lawmakers who visited the scene brokered a compromise, but a single protester blocked the entrance and the attempt to enter the arena fell through.

Officers deployed to the scene say their physical and mental exhaustion has reached a breaking point. Inspector A, attached to a mobile unit at the site, said standing for three-hour stretches in the heat has been grueling, made worse by a period when officers were restricted from wearing face coverings, masks and sunglasses. "Complaints flooded the police internal network over that," he said.

He added that being repeatedly called "security police" by demonstrators has also taken a toll. "There are quite a few instances where we end up on the receiving end of something unpleasant," he said.

An officer who asked not to be named said he was frustrated by what he saw as an overly deferential posture toward the protesters. "More than anything else, I can't understand why the police are being so submissive toward the demonstrators," he said. "When we rotate in, we can't even choose our own route — we have to take a long detour just to get to our posts."

Inspector B, stationed at a nearby police box, said the daily grind of watching the same situation unfold at the same time every day has worn him down. "And because you never know when something unexpected might happen, you're always on edge — by the time your shift ends, you're completely drained," he said.

The Korean National Police Agency has announced support measures for officers at the scene but has maintained its policy of not intervening in the protest itself.

Acting Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong said at a regular press briefing on Monday that police would "respect and protect to the fullest extent citizens' legitimate exercise of sovereignty by voluntarily gathering to express their views on infringements of their political rights." He added that police would "carry out their duties fairly while maintaining political neutrality so that the public has nothing to worry about."

On the question of dispersing the protest, Yoo said any decision would require "careful judgment based on a comprehensive review of various circumstances and opinions."

Police have been providing legal counseling and emergency psychological support to officers reporting mental distress. As of Wednesday, 16 officers had received emergency psychological counseling.