A man in his 30s was hospitalised after injuring himself with a weapon during a protest outside a ballot-counting centre in Seoul on Wednesday night.
According to local reports, police received an emergency call at around 10.30pm regarding an armed individual near Gates 1 to 3 of the Olympic Park Handball Arena in Songpa District.
The man was reportedly taking part in a protest linked to ongoing demonstrations over alleged ballot paper shortages during South Korea’s 9th nationwide local elections.
Authorities said the individual sustained injuries to his arm after cutting himself while confronting police officers at the scene.
Police quickly restrained the man before emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment. Reports indicated that his injuries were not life-threatening.
Investigators are expected to question the man once his condition stabilises, including examining why he was carrying the weapon and whether any threats were made during the incident.
The disturbance occurred amid a continuing blockade protest outside the ballot-counting venue. Demonstrators have been gathering around the Olympic Park Handball Arena to condemn what they claim were shortages of ballot papers during the recent local elections.
The protest has reportedly entered its 13th consecutive day, with police maintaining a presence around the area to monitor the situation and prevent further disruptions.
Authorities have yet to release additional details as investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
