Protests demanding a re-run of local elections marred by ballot shortages continued for the ninth day on June 13.
Around 700 protesters gathered near SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul's Jamsil district at 9 a.m., chanting slogans and waving flags. Numbers were sharply down from 8,000 the previous night.
The demonstrations began after ballot shortages halted voting at 26 polling stations during the June 3 mayoral and gubernatorial elections. The National Election Commission apologized for underestimating turnout but maintained that a re-run is not warranted.
President Lee Jae Myung pledged a full investigation and reforms for the election body. Opposition People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok called for talks with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and ruling Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae.
