48 riot police units to be deployed during inspection of local election ballots

Seoul police plan to deploy a significant force to ensure safety during the inspection of local election ballots by a special counsel team, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) announced on Tuesday. The team, led by special counsel Lee Tae-han, will examine 2.47 million ballots, along with surveillance footage and other records, at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Seoul's southeastern Songpa Ward.

This inspection follows an unprecedented shortage of ballots in the June 3 local elections. The gymnasium currently houses the ballot papers, which protesters have blocked from removal, demanding accountability and a rerun of the elections. In response to the request from Lee's team, the police force comprising 48 riot units, 150 officers for dialogue and mediation, and 300 detectives and investigators, is anticipated to number around 3,330 personnel. A typical riot police unit comprises approximately 60 individuals.