9 South Korean sports federations, locked out of their Olympic Park offices by election fraud protesters since June 5, appeal to authorities for help to resume operations ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Protests demanding a rerun of South Korea's June 3 local elections, marred by ballot shortages, continue for the 23rd day in Seoul, with over 22,000 participants gathered near a key ballot counting site, despite the election watchdog ruling out a rerun.
Yonhap News Agency's first Wednesday roundup summarizes major South Korean stories, including a plan to ease inter-Korean border restrictions, a stock rebound, K-beauty's resurgence, G7 diplomacy, a police probe and a World Cup match.
Election protesters in Seoul have agreed to allow sports officials access to a gymnasium used as a ballot-counting center, potentially ending a 12-day standoff. The deal allows limited access for officials to retrieve items, with oversight from lawmakers and protesters.
Election protesters have been blocking the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Seoul for 12 days, demanding a rerun of local elections due to ballot shortages. Sports officials attempting to access their offices inside the gym were met with a standoff, with police issuing warnings about obstruction of business.
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok vowed stern action against illegal acts by protesters blocking the Jamsil Olympic Handball Gymnasium. Protesters demand a rerun of local elections due to ballot shortages, but the government states vote counting is complete and blocking access is a crime.
