Police Investigate Busan Candidate for Allegedly Staging Drink Attack

South Korean police are investigating Jeong Yi-han, a former candidate for mayor of Busan from the Reform Party, for allegedly staging an incident where he claimed to have been assaulted during his election campaign.

Jeong reported that on April 27, while campaigning in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, a drink was thrown at him from a passing vehicle. His campaign team stated that he fell while trying to avoid the drink, lost consciousness, and was diagnosed with a concussion and contusion. Police initially arrested a 30-year-old driver but a detention warrant was later dismissed. Jeong later submitted a letter of leniency for the driver and returned to campaigning.

However, police are now exploring the possibility that the incident was a self-staged act. They searched Jeong's campaign office the day after the election and have been conducting the investigation privately due to its potential impact on the election. The Geumjeong Police Station stated that they are investigating all possibilities.

Jeong Yi-han secured third place in the June 3 local elections for Busan mayor, receiving 27,418 votes, which represented 1.56% of the total vote.