Disturbances and attempts to interfere with voting were reported at polling stations across the country Wednesday, the main voting day for the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections.
The Korean National Police Agency said 88 election-related emergency calls were received between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. By category, reports of voting interference or disorderly conduct were the most common at 14, while traffic-related complaints accounted for three. No assault calls were logged. Miscellaneous reports — including false alarms — totaled 71.
At one polling station in Sejong, a man in his 40s was stopped after he tried to show his marked ballot to bystanders instead of placing it in the ballot box. He was heard saying, "Didn't the president do the same thing?" and asking poll workers to verify that he had marked his ballot correctly.
At a polling station in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, a man in his 60s was stopped as he attempted to leave the voting booth without depositing his ballot. He reportedly shouted and caused a disturbance after being stopped.
Police said they will look into the circumstances of each reported incident and review whether any violations of the Public Official Election Act or other relevant laws occurred.
rim@heraldcorp.com
