Jeong I-han, a former Reform Party Busan mayoral candidate who is suspected of staging a fake attack during a campaign event in the 9th nationwide local elections (June 3 local elections), faces a decision on whether to be arrested.
According to legal sources on the 7th, the Geumjeong Police Station in Busan applied for arrest warrants on the 1st for Jeong, the former candidate, and a person identified as A, who threw a drink, on charges including obstruction of the performance of official duties by fraudulent means and violations of the Public Official Election Act. Prosecutors also requested the warrants from the court on the 3rd.
A pre-arrest interrogation (substantial warrant review) for Jeong, the former candidate, and A will be held at 2 p.m. on the 8th at the Busan District Court.
Jeong, the former candidate, claimed that on Apr. 27 near the Guseo interchange in Geumjeong District, Busan, while campaigning, a passing car driver hit him with a cup of drink they sprayed. Jeong's side said at the time that the candidate tried to avoid the drink, fell, hit his head on the ground, lost consciousness, and was taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion and muscle contusion and was admitted.
However, a police investigation found that A, who threw the drink, was a gym trainer and director who was acquainted with Jeong, the former candidate. Based on evidence that the two contacted each other before the incident, police have been checking whether there was prior collusion.
Separately from this case, police are currently investigating allegations that employees of a subsidiary of Ongroup, operated by Jeong's father, were mobilized for the campaign, as well as questions about the fairness of a polling agency related to Jeong.