Staged Attack Exposed: How Former Busan Mayoral Candidate Jung Yi-han Was Caught

"This beverage terror attack is a grave crime intended to obstruct the challenge of a young politician and shake the foundations of democracy."

This was the statement released by the camp of Jung Yi-han, a former Reform Party candidate for Busan mayor, on April 27 during the election period, after announcing that he had been attacked. Jung was arrested by police on July 8 on charges including obstruction of justice by deception and violation of the Public Official Election Act for allegedly staging the attack.

At the time, a campaign official reported to the police that around 9:00 a.m. on the day of the incident, Jung was hit by a beverage thrown from a passing vehicle while campaigning near the Guseo Interchange in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, and collapsed.

Deeming the matter serious, the police emergency-arrested a man in his 30s, identified as A, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act (obstruction of election freedom).

It was reported that A had hurled insults and derogatory remarks at the young politician, saying, "What is a young brat like you doing running for mayor?"

Public interest in Jung, a political newcomer who had become a victim of a "beverage terror," grew significantly.

Jung personally visited A in detention and even submitted a petition for leniency.

Two days after the incident, he returned to the campaign trail wearing a neck brace.

However, it turned out that the entire incident was a staged hoax, planned in advance by Jung and his acquaintance of 10 years, A, who was his personal fitness trainer, in an attempt to gain an advantage in the election.

The clue to the staged attack was discovered about 15 days after the initial report was filed with the police.

Following standard investigative procedures, the police obtained a warrant for A's mobile phone records and analyzed his call history.

Contrary to police expectations, the records revealed that Jung and the assailant, A, had communicated multiple times before the incident occurred.

The police shifted the focus of their investigation from obstruction of election freedom to charges including obstruction of justice by deception and began securing evidence.

To this end, they launched a full-scale investigation, including search and seizure operations at their residences.

Ultimately, in mid-May, Jung appeared before the police and confessed to the staged attack he and A had orchestrated.

A reportedly stated during police questioning, "I wanted to help Jung. I didn't know it would become such a big deal."

On June 4, the day after the election, police conducted searches at the campaign office, residences, and the gym.

During the searches, police secured CCTV footage showing Jung and A talking together at the gym.

The police currently believe that no one other than Jung and A conspired or participated in the staged attack.

▲ Former Reform Party Busan mayoral candidate Jung Yi-han

Ahn Young-bong, head of the investigation department at the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, stated, "This is an unprecedented case regarding violations of the Public Official Election Act," adding, "We conducted the investigation with the determination that acts undermining fair elections must be strictly punished."

When asked if the search and seizure warrants could have been executed before the election, he explained, "From the perspective of the prosecution and police, proving the crime was more important than the potential impact on the election."

The police plan to refer the case to the prosecution next week after conducting additional investigations, including whether there were any financial transactions between the two.

Separately, the circumstances surrounding the issuance of Jung's medical certificate are under investigation for potential violations of the Medical Service Act.

A separate investigation is also underway into allegations that employees of affiliates of the On Group, run by Jung's father, were mobilized for his campaign.

Furthermore, a separate probe is ongoing regarding controversies over the fairness of polling organizations related to the former candidate.

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