Prosecutors Indict Former Reform Party Candidate Jung Yi-han and Personal Trainer Over Staged Attack

Former Reform Party Busan mayoral candidate Jung Yi-han, who is accused of staging an attack against himself during the June 3 local election campaign, has been indicted and remains in custody.

The Busan District Prosecutors' Office announced today (July 31) that it has indicted Jung in custody on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and obstructing the performance of official duties by fraudulent means.

A personal trainer identified as Mr. A, who participated in the crime, was also indicted in custody on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, inflicting bodily injury, and obstructing the performance of official duties by fraudulent means.

Jung and Mr. A are accused of plotting a fake attack on the morning of April 27 at around 8:00 AM near the Guseo Interchange in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, where Mr. A threw a beverage at Jung while he was campaigning.

At the time, Jung's camp claimed that Jung lost consciousness after falling while trying to dodge a beverage thrown by a vehicle driver, and that he was diagnosed with a concussion and muscle contusions at a hospital.

However, during the police investigation, call records prior to the crime and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showing the two conspiring at the gym where Mr. A worked were uncovered, exposing evidence that the incident was staged, despite the two having claimed they did not know each other.

Investigations revealed that the two have known each other for about 10 years and plotted the crime to boost Jung's public recognition and help his election campaign.

Police, who secured testimonies regarding the staged incident on May 18—two weeks before the election—arrested the two suspects on July 8. After investigating whether there was any quid pro quo such as financial transactions and whether there were any mastermind forces behind them, the police transferred the case to the prosecution on July 16.

Police applied charges including the publication of false information under the Public Official Election Act and obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means to Jung, while applying charges such as interference with election freedom under the Public Official Election Act, obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means, and bodily injury to Mr. A.

The prosecution stated that through supplementary investigations, it confirmed the staged attack was executed according to Jung's plan and specific instructions.

The prosecution determined that it was necessary to penalize Jung not only for publishing false information regarding the attack but also for planning and instructing the execution of the staged incident during the campaign.

Accordingly, the prosecution additionally indicted Jung on charges of instigating interference with election freedom under the Public Official Election Act, a charge that had not been applied during the police investigation stage.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.