*This content was translated by AI.
The prolonged restriction on access to offices within the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium has completely paralyzed sports administration in South Korea. Ultimately, the Korean Sports Council and its member federations issued a public appeal at the National Assembly, urging immediate normalization of access necessary for essential operations.
On the morning of the 28th at 11 o'clock, the Korean Sports Council and its member federations held a joint press conference with the Rebuilding Korea Party Kim Jae-won (Rep.) office at the National Assembly Communication Center. According to the Sports Council, representatives from member federations residing in the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium attended the press conference directly, conveying the vivid difficulties faced on-site due to the prolonged access restrictions and strongly emphasizing the need for normalization of sports administration.
This crisis stems from the aftermath of large-scale protests that erupted at Olympic Park on June 5 over a ballot paper shortage during the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections. As blockades of counting centers continued, it is reported that staff from member federations affiliated with the Korean Sports Council residing in the building have been unable to properly access their offices for over a month, making normal work impossible.
The Sports Council and its member federations clearly stated that they deeply understand and fully respect the necessity and purpose of the National Assembly's investigation into important national matters. However, they emphasized that as both the investigation and access restrictions have been prolonged, member federations have reached a limit where even basic sports administration tasks cannot be performed.
According to the public appeal released today, the difficulties faced by member federations now extend beyond merely being unable to use their offices. Member federations are responsible for core functions of South Korea's sports administration, including support for national team athletes, operation of domestic and international competitions, registration and qualification management of athletes and coaches, international exchanges, and various public complaint services.
However, essential computer equipment and key administrative documents remain locked inside the offices within the Handball Gymnasium, making normal administrative processing impossible. Especially with the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Summer Asian Games just around the corner, it is reported that significant disruptions are occurring in support for national team athletes and preparations for the competition.
The damage directly felt by citizens is also severe. The issuance of performance certificates required for university admissions and athlete employment, along with various administrative public services, has been sequentially delayed, causing direct inconvenience and harm to athletes, coaches, students, and the general public alike.
Until now, member federations have continuously requested cooperation with the investigation to the fullest extent while asking for at least minimal working conditions to be provided. At the press conference, representatives of the member federations stated, "While we respect the purpose of the National Assembly investigation, support for national team athletes and sports administration for the people must never be halted." They added, "To prevent further delays in on-site sports administration, safe access to offices for staff and conditions for performing essential tasks must be established as soon as possible."
Furthermore, member federations earnestly requested that relevant institutional investors, including the National Assembly, proactively cooperate to allow the removal of administrative documents, computer equipment, and office supplies so that urgent essential tasks such as national team support and competition operations can be carried out even before full normalization of work.
They also clearly stated that access to offices and removal of essential work items would proceed on the premise of ensuring complete transparency in procedures to prevent erosion of public trust or unnecessary misunderstandings regarding the storage and management of ballot boxes and voting materials.
Through the public appeal, member federations stated, "Member federations are not organizations serving only specific groups but are a core pillar of sports administration that supports citizens enjoying life sports, athletes nurturing their dreams, and South Korea promoting its national prestige on the international stage." They added, "If sports administration comes to a halt, the damage will inevitably fall on athletes, coaches, sports professionals, and all citizens."
They further urged the National Assembly and relevant institutional investors to "quickly establish conditions for office access and essential task performance so that on-site sports administration is no longer neglected," emphasizing, "Member federations will also do their utmost until the end to fulfill their responsibility for the development of South Korean sports and for the people."
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*This content was translated by AI.
