Police first secured related statements on May 18, two weeks before the local election, from former Reform Party Busan mayoral candidate Jeong I-han, who is suspected of staging an attack.
As controversy persisted over suspicions that the former candidate staged the attack, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency on the 13th disclosed the progress of the investigation from detection of the allegation to search and seizure and suspect questioning. Police said, "To correct facts regarding erroneous or speculative reports, we are exceptionally disclosing investigation matters under Article 5, Paragraph 1 of the public relations rules."
According to police, on May 18 the former candidate briefly visited a police station during a campaign stop after being asked to appear. At the time, the former candidate was classified as both a witness and a victim in a case of "obstruction of election freedom."
At that meeting, police first heard statements from the former candidate and fitness trainer A indicating the possibility the attack was staged. The next day, May 19, the former candidate was formally booked as a suspect.
The day the former candidate was booked coincided with when the campaign had announced an emergency news conference and then abruptly canceled it just a few hours later. At the time, contact with the former candidate was also reportedly cut off.
Until now, police had said only that they secured statements related to staging "in mid-May." But as political sparring over whether the probe was delayed intensified, they disclosed the specific date for the first time.
On May 20, investigators first applied for a search and seizure warrant against the former candidate and others. Police said it took time for the warrant to be issued because prosecutors repeatedly requested supplemental investigation.
Police again asked the former candidate to appear on May 22, but the candidate's attorney conveyed an intention to be questioned around June 8, after the election. Police said, "Each time there was a request for supplemental investigation, we promptly complied and reapplied for the warrant. The search and seizure warrant was issued around 9:40 p.m. on June 2 and executed on the morning of June 4."
During consultations with prosecutors on applying for the search and seizure warrant, A was also found to have recanted prior statements.
The first suspect questioning of the former candidate was conducted on June 8 in line with the schedule the campaign provided. Police subsequently questioned the former candidate three times in total.
Police drew a line against claims that it was improper not to disclose or induce resignation of the candidacy despite identifying signs of a staged incident before the election. Police said, "We cannot disclose investigation matters regarding a candidate whose charges have not been proven," adding, "It could constitute disclosure of official secrets, disclosure of suspect facts, or public officials' involvement in elections."
Regarding why a detention warrant was sought about a month after the search and seizure, they explained that it was necessary to secure evidence supporting the staging allegation and to conduct legal review.
Police stressed, "From the outset of this case, we have closely consulted with prosecutors throughout the entire investigation process, including applications for search and seizure warrants and a detention warrant," and, "After identifying the former candidate's alleged staging, we conducted the investigation swiftly and without gaps."