Protest Against Ballot Paper Shortages In Seoul Enters 2nd Day, Demanding New Election

SEOUL, June 6 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- Protests over ballot shortages entered their second day Saturday, with thousands encircling a vote-counting facility in eastern Seoul and demanding a new election, Yonhap News Agency reported.

By 12:35 p.m., approximately 2,000 people had gathered around SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Songpa Ward, according to police, claiming Wednesday's local elections were fraudulent.

Protesters blocked entrances, trapping an estimated 20-30 officials inside. About 400 police officers were deployed to the scene. No clashes have been reported.

The unrest stemmed from the shortage of ballot paper at more than a dozen polling stations across Seoul on Wednesday, including in Songpa and Gangnam, forcing temporary voting suspensions. Some voters are believed to have left without casting their ballots.

Authorities managed to move the ballot boxes to the gymnasium Friday morning. Since then, protestors have surrounded the facility, preventing officials from removing the boxes or leaving the site.

The same day, National Election Commission (NEC) Chairman Roh Tae-ak and NEC Secretary General Heo Cheol-hoon offered their resignations.

The crowd continued to grow as the afternoon wore on.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP