One suspect identified, summoned for questioning

Police vow to continue identifying others involved

Young handball national team players are blocked by rally participants as they attempt to retrieve training equipment from the handball arena at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on June 8. [Provided by reader]
Young handball national team players are blocked by rally participants as they attempt to retrieve training equipment from the handball arena at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on June 8. [Provided by reader]

Police have launched an investigation into assault and coercion that occurred at a rally tied to the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections. Some rally participants are accused of blocking young handball national team players who came to retrieve training equipment at Olympic Park, and of assaulting a journalist.

The Korean National Police Agency announced Friday it had opened an investigation into "illegal acts, including coercion and assault, targeting the women's junior handball national team and a journalist" at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

On June 8, the young players arrived at the Olympic Park handball arena to collect training gear, including internationally certified balls, when rally participants blocked their entry. The demonstrators said no one could enter the arena because ballot boxes from Songpa-gu were being stored inside.

Police launched the investigation on June 10 and identified one person who was present at the scene, issuing a summons for questioning. Authorities said they plan to identify other participants involved.

Participants chant slogans Friday in front of the handball arena at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, as a protest blockade of the vote-counting venue continues over the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections. [Yonhap]
Participants chant slogans Friday in front of the handball arena at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, as a protest blockade of the vote-counting venue continues over the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections. [Yonhap]

Police are also investigating a separate incident in which a journalist leaving the handball arena was surrounded and assaulted. Investigators said they have secured relevant evidence and are tracking down the suspects.

Police said they will protect and guarantee the expression of views related to voting rights while strictly investigating any illegal acts.

"We will conduct a thorough investigation into illegal acts that undermine democratic order — including obstructing the free movement or access of others, and defaming or insulting police officers," a police official said. "Particularly for illegal acts such as assault, defamation and coercion targeting citizens, journalists and police, we will mobilize all available resources to pursue and apprehend those responsible and hold them legally accountable without exception."


20ki@heraldcorp.com