"This beverage terror attack is a serious 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 reporting an alleged assault. 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 staging the attack.

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

Determining the matter to be serious, the police 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 verbal abuse at the young politician, saying, "What is a young punk like you doing running for mayor?"

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

Jung personally visited A 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 A, his personal trainer of 10 years, in an attempt to gain an advantage in the election.

The clues to the staged event were uncovered about 15 days after the initial report of the assault was filed with the police.

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

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

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.

Eventually, in mid-May, Jung appeared before the police and admitted to the staged hoax he and A had carried out.

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

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

During the searches, they also 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 event.


Ahn Young-bong, head of the investigation division 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 judgment that acts undermining a fair election 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 further investigations, including whether there were any financial transactions between the two individuals.

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 regarding allegations that employees of affiliates of the On Group, operated by Jung's father, were mobilized for his election campaign.

Additionally, a separate probe is ongoing regarding controversies over the fairness of polling organizations related to Jung.