Protests over alleged ballot paper shortages during South Korea’s recent local elections have entered their fourth consecutive day in Seoul, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering outside a vote-counting facility demanding a fresh election. The unrest has raised concerns over electoral administration and triggered a wider investigation into the conduct of polling operations across the country.

On Monday morning, approximately 950 protesters were seen surrounding the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Songpa District, according to unofficial police estimates. The venue has become a focal point of the demonstrations, with protesters blocking multiple entrances in an attempt to prevent the removal of ballot boxes. The turnout marked a sharp decline from the estimated 8,000 participants who gathered late Sunday night.

The protests began after voting was temporarily suspended at 22 polling stations across the country last week due to shortages of ballot papers, as reported by the National Election Commission (NEC). The disruption has since sparked allegations of administrative failure and claims of possible electoral irregularities, with some groups calling for a complete rerun of the elections.

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Authorities have deployed around 350 police personnel to the site to maintain order and prevent clashes between demonstrators and officials. Security forces have been managing access to the facility while ensuring that vote-counting operations and election-related procedures remain protected amid heightened tensions.

Meanwhile, South Korean police have expanded their investigation into the incident, securing chat records of election officials and questioning both election workers and voters affected by the shortages. Officials are also examining whether the NEC followed proper ballot distribution protocols. A civic activist linked to a complaint against senior election officials has also been questioned as part of the ongoing probe.

The controversy has reached the highest levels of government, with President Lee Jae Myung expressing regret over the incident and ordering a joint investigation by prosecutors and police. As investigations continue, authorities face growing pressure to restore public confidence in the electoral process and address concerns raised by protesters demanding accountability and transparency.

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