Sports organizations caught in the crossfire of protests over a ballot shortage at the National Election Commission have issued a public appeal. Twelve sports bodies based at the handball arena inside Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, said Thursday that a blockade protest at the nearby vote-counting center had "in effect paralyzed" their operations by cutting off access to their offices. While saying they respect the right to protest, the groups called on the government and the local election commission to take immediate action to restore normal working conditions.
'We respect the protest, but protect our right to work'
International competition prep, athlete payments disrupted
About 200 executives, staff and sports officials from the 12 organizations at the Olympic Park handball arena issued a joint statement saying they "respect citizens' right to protest and to raise their voices," but added, "we also have the right to work." They said they had been unable to enter their offices since June 5, with the protest blockade sealing off all entrances to the arena complex. "What is trapped inside is nothing other than our workplace," the statement read.
The groups said employees had faced safety threats during attempts to commute. Some staff stranded inside the building escaped through windows, while others who tried to enter got into confrontations with protesters.
"Employees who tried to come to work were subjected to ID checks and bag searches, and were left trembling with fear," the statement said. "We are ordinary workers who have shown up every day, and the people who have kept Korean sports running — why should we have to experience this kind of fear just trying to get to work?"
The groups said they made three attempts on June 9 and June 10 to negotiate access with the protesters surrounding the arena, but all three failed. "Even our minimal request — to retrieve corporate cards, official seals and accounting documents needed for banking, under the protesters' supervision — was ultimately refused," they said, adding that they remained unable to reach administrative materials that must be kept inside the facility.
As a result, the statement said, a broad range of essential operations had ground to a halt, including national certification exams for sports instructors, preparations for international competitions, domestic event management, payment of allowances to athletes, coaches and referees, and tax filings. "The public's right to enjoy sports and maintain their health also matters," the groups said. "The harm is being passed on to organizations, athletes and citizens who have done nothing wrong."
The groups also turned their frustration toward authorities. "What is the government doing right now?" they said, urging the Songpa-gu Election Commission to "face the root cause of this situation and swiftly present a responsible solution."
Their formal demands were: a responsible response plan from the Songpa-gu Election Commission, a meeting between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the affected sports organizations along with concrete solutions, the restoration of normal access to their workplaces, and administrative cooperation from the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee.
20ki@heraldcorp.com
