Police: Ex-Mayoral Candidate Claimed He Staged Assault During Election

Police have revealed that Jeong Yi-han, a former candidate for Busan mayor representing the Reform Party, stated in his first police testimony on May 18 that he staged the alleged assault he suffered during the June 3 local elections. This statement comes amid political controversy and criticism directed at the police for alleged election interference.

Jeong was initially questioned by police on April 27 following an incident where a man identified as A (30s) allegedly threw a drink at him. During the May 18 questioning, where Jeong appeared as a witness, he reportedly made statements suggesting the event was a "self-staged act." Following this, police formally booked Jeong on suspicion of staging the assault on May 19.

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He made statements to the effect that it was a self-staged act.

Further complicating matters, Jeong's campaign initially announced an emergency press conference for the following morning, only to cancel it hours later. Police sought to question Jeong again on May 22, but his legal team indicated he would appear on June 8, when his first interrogation as a suspect took place. Police also faced delays in obtaining a search warrant for Jeong's campaign office, which was eventually executed on June 4 after the prosecution requested further investigation into the warrant application.

Responding to criticism about not revealing the self-staged assault allegations before the election, police stated that they cannot disclose investigation details concerning candidates whose guilt has not been proven. They maintained that the investigation proceeded according to law and procedure.

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We cannot disclose investigation details about a candidate whose guilt has not been proven.