A woman in her 30s, identified as A, who came to be known as "Olldarc" (Olympic Park Joan of Arc) for blocking Korea Sports & Olympic Committee officials from entering the Jamsil ballot-counting site amid a ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, appeared before police on the 10th and declared, "I have resolved to gladly pay the price, if a price is required to defend liberal democracy."
The Seoul Songpa Police Station began questioning A, who faces charges of obstruction of business, from 4:30 p.m. that day. On the 16th of last month, A draped an American flag around her body and held her ground at the door of the arena, blocking Korea Sports & Olympic Committee staff from entering the office. Despite an agreement between the Korea Sports & Olympic Committee and some protest participants, A blocked the entrance alone for about two hours, ultimately thwarting the attempt to enter.
A, who had announced a press conference ahead of the police questioning, appeared wearing a white T-shirt bearing a Taegukgi mark and a silver cross necklace.
A appeared before reporters at around 4:08 p.m. and said, "From late at night on June 3, when the ballot shortage occurred, I guarded the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong (together with other protest participants)," adding, "I thought that when a serious problem had arisen in the process, the election should not simply be wrapped up as it was."
She continued, "Contrary to its earlier announcement that it would not forcibly remove the ballot boxes, the election commission mobilized police force to drag out citizens and took the ballot boxes away." She added, "On the 5th of last month, the pressure from police wearing sunglasses and masks and armed with protective gear was painful, but the fact that the ballot boxes were taken away was even more heartbreaking."
A then said, "Since that day (when police moved the ballot boxes), I began guarding the Olympic Park Handball Stadium, the ballot-counting site for Songpa-gu," explaining, "because the ballot boxes that citizens deprived of their right to vote had desperately tried to protect were there."
A stressed that this was not to follow the will of any particular party or person. She said, "As one member of the public, I wanted our single vote to be fully protected," adding, "I wanted everyone breathing on this land to be respected as citizens with an equal single vote."
Regarding blocking the Korea Sports & Olympic Committee officials from entering, A stressed, "Because in a situation where suspicions of fraud are unending, if verification proceeds without principles and procedures being observed, then whatever conclusion is reached afterward cannot carry any persuasive power." She continued, "Democracy was built on the sacrifice and dedication of countless people, and my resolve to gladly pay the price if a price is required (to defend it) was my state of mind on the day I guarded the gate."
As A headed into the police station at around 4:30 p.m. for questioning, reporters asked her questions such as "Do you admit to the obstruction of business charges?" and "You argue for guaranteeing the right to vote, but what do you think about the Korea Sports & Olympic Committee's right to work?" but A entered without answering.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong-cheol, the attorney representing A, argued that day that "the fundamental cause of this situation lies with the election commission." Kim said, "We deeply sympathize with the operational difficulties experienced by the Korea Sports & Olympic Committee," but added, "We judge that the fundamental cause lies with the election commission, which, in breach of contract and without any basis under election law, is storing election supplies at an external arena."
That day, Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation party, also volunteered to defend A. Hwang said, "A was simply standing (in front of the gate)," adding, "What crime is that supposed to be? They are truly doing meaningless things." He continued, "Beyond the legal defense team, there are many other members of the public who are cheering her on," adding, "We will safeguard justice so that it can prevail."
