Olympic Park protest enters second month: 139 under investigation as police tread carefully

As the protest at Olympic Park stretches into its 25th consecutive day, illegal incidents at and around the site have been mounting. More than 100 people are now under investigation for offenses including obstruction of business and interference with the execution of official duties.

Police said they would respond firmly to any illegal acts but maintained a cautious stance on intervening in the protest itself, saying a comprehensive review was needed.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said at a regular press briefing held Sunday at the agency's office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that police are currently handling 57 cases related to the Jamsil ballot-counting center protest, with 139 people under investigation.

Police are identifying suspects and summoning them for questioning in connection with five categories of alleged offenses: obstruction of business at organizations affiliated with the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, an unauthorized search of the junior handball national team, an assault on a journalist, insults directed at police officers and interference with their duties, and assault, public intimidation and insults among protest participants.

Police are also actively working to block online posts spreading false information about officers and other officials. "We have requested the deletion or blocking of 286 posts containing false information, and some have already been taken down," an official said.

While taking a hard line on illegal conduct, police said they would not intervene in the protest itself. "This is a very unusual situation in which citizens are gathering individually to express their views on what they see as a violation of their voting rights, so a comprehensive review is necessary," an official said.

Since the protest began June 5, police have deployed a total of more than 200 riot-control units through Friday to maintain order. Police said they plan to keep an appropriate number of personnel on the ground until the situation at the site stabilizes.

"We will do our utmost to protect citizens' freedom to express their views on what they regard as a violation of their voting rights," the official said. "For any clear illegal acts, we will respond strictly in accordance with the law and principles."