▲ Jeong I-han, former Busan mayoral candidate for the Reform Party, who is suspected of staging an attack during the June 3 local elections, enters the Busan District Court on July 8 for a warrant validity hearing.
Jeong I-han, the former Busan mayoral candidate for the Reform Party who claimed to have been attacked while campaigning during the June 3 local elections, has been arrested following allegations that the incident was staged.
The Busan District Court issued arrest warrants for the former candidate, Jeong, and an individual identified as A, who allegedly threw a beverage at him, on charges including obstruction of justice by deception and violation of the Public Official Election Act.
The court stated that the warrant for Jeong was issued due to the risk of evidence destruction, while the warrant for A was issued due to both the risk of evidence destruction and the risk of flight.
The police have been investigating the case, suspecting that Jeong and A orchestrated the beverage-throwing incident near an interchange in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, on April 27.
At the time, Jeong's campaign claimed that he had lost consciousness after falling while trying to dodge a beverage thrown by a driver, and that he was diagnosed with a concussion and muscle contusions at a hospital.
However, the police later identified inconsistencies in the details of the incident and investigated the relationship between Jeong and A, their communications before and after the event, and the possibility of collusion.
A is known to be a gym trainer and owner who had a personal connection with Jeong.
Separately, the police are also investigating allegations that employees of On Group affiliates, operated by Jeong's father, were mobilized for his campaign, as well as controversies regarding the fairness of polling agencies related to Jeong and potential violations of the Medical Service Act during the hospital diagnosis process.
With Jeong now in custody following the issuance of the warrant, the police investigation into the other allegations is expected to gain momentum.
In the June 3 local elections for Busan mayor, Jeong received 27,418 votes, placing third with 1.56% of the vote.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.