Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium reopened for sports groups after 95-day blockade

After 95 days of blockade, sports organizations under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee successfully entered the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium to retrieve essential administrative equipment and supplies. The facility had been occupied by protesters since June 5, following disputes regarding a shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections.

With approximately 2,000 police officers deployed to manage the scene and prevent physical conflict, officials from nine sports associations—including handball, fencing, and mountain climbing—retrieved computers, administrative documents, accounting records, and competition gear. The retrieval was deemed urgent due to the upcoming 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the start of university admissions processes for physical education students.

During the operation, the National Election Commission and a special prosecution team also entered the facility to inspect the security of ballot boxes and election-related materials. While the sports organizations managed to remove their necessary items, the gymnasium remains under protest, and the long-term return of the sports associations to their offices remains uncertain.