Citizens Demand New Election Amidst Ballot Shortage Scandal
A spontaneous protest demanding a rerun of the recent local elections has entered its third day at a polling station in Jamsil, Songpa District, Seoul. The demonstration began after two ballots were reportedly found discarded from Station 2 in Jamsil 7-dong, which had been sealed following a ballot shortage on election day. The protest site was established on May 5th and has continued for over 49 hours, drawing significant attention.
Young Voters Lead the Charge
By Saturday morning, an estimated 1,000 people, predominantly from their 20s and 30s, had gathered near the handball stadium at the Olympic Park. Waving placards that read ‘Rerun Election’ and holding national flags, they chanted the national anthem. Once the anthem concluded, the crowd resumed their calls for a new election.
The protest, which saw approximately 36,000 people gather by Friday evening, has seen a resurgence in numbers as daylight broke. Real-time Seoul City data indicates that between 10,000 and 12,000 people were present within the Olympic Park as of 11 a.m. on Saturday, with those in their 20s accounting for over a third of the attendees at 37.3%.
Calls for Accountability and Justice
Protesters voiced their outrage, stating, “The election commission, which should be at the forefront of protecting citizens’ right to vote, has instead trampled on our suffrage.” They cited suspicions of electoral fraud and demanded a new election.
Lee Mo (23), a university student attending the protest despite upcoming exams, expressed concern about the erosion of fundamental rights. “The right to vote is a basic right of citizens. If it’s infringed upon like this, more rights will inevitably be disregarded in the future,” she stated. “Although I have exams, I felt compelled to participate in this protest as it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Another student, Won Mo (25), who traveled from Incheon after hearing about the insufficient number of protesters earlier in the morning, added, “Were there not too many situations that looked like fraudulent elections in this electoral process? I am cheering for all suspicions to be thoroughly investigated.”
A Movement Beyond Political Affiliation
Demonstrators emphasized that this protest is distinct from previous conspiracy-driven gatherings. Signs displayed near the polling station clearly stated, “Political support beyond a rerun election is prohibited,” and “Those gathered here are not organized groups and will not accept any political funding.”
A protester, identified only as Mr. A, who initiated the call for a rerun election, appealed for unity: “This is a movement to reclaim our right to vote. Please refrain from using flags of other nations, politically charged signs, or pre-printed banners. Let’s maintain the purity of this protest.”
Creative Expressions of Dissent
As the protest entered its third day, participants showcased a variety of creative methods to express their dissent. A black van parked near gates 1-3 of the polling station displayed messages such as “Hold a Rerun Election” and “Freedom is Ours to Protect.” The van’s owner, Baek Mo (24), explained, “I brought markers from Paju this morning so that citizens could write their opinions about this situation. This is for those who find it difficult to shout slogans, and I hope seeing this encourages everyone to reflect on the current circumstances.”
Police have deployed approximately 350 officers, including six riot police units, to manage the situation and prepare for any contingencies. A Songpa Police Station official stated that the police presence is for crowd management and that there are no immediate plans for forced dispersal.
University Students Condemn Election Commission
Student councils from major universities have also issued statements condemning the Central Election Management Committee. The Seoul National University Student Council criticized the committee’s decision to seal polling stations with insufficient ballots, questioning the basis for such a decision and the lack of timely action.
Korea University Student Council echoed these sentiments, stating that the high voter turnout demonstrated the vitality of democracy and that the election commission should have protected citizens’ votes more diligently. Yonsei University Student Council asserted that administrative convenience cannot justify the infringement of citizens’ rights.
Call for Transparency and Reform
The protests highlight a deep-seated frustration with the electoral process and a demand for greater transparency and accountability from election authorities. The ongoing demonstrations underscore the public’s commitment to safeguarding democratic principles and ensuring the integrity of future elections.
