Police: Investigation details on ex-candidate's alleged staged attack couldn't be disclosed before election

Police in Busan, South Korea, have explained their decision not to publicly disclose details of an investigation into former Reform Party candidate Jeong Yi-han, who faced allegations of staging an attack during the June 3 local election campaign.

According to police, they could not release information because the charges against Jeong had not been concretely established at the time. "We could not disclose investigation details of a candidate whose charges were not proven," a police official stated. This clarification comes amid recent political speculation that the police's non-disclosure of the investigation before the election created a favorable electoral landscape for Jeong.

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At the time, the charges were not specifically confirmed, so we could not disclose it.

Jeong had claimed that a beverage cup thrown from a passing vehicle struck him during a rally on April 27 in Busan, resulting in a concussion diagnosis. However, police found inconsistencies and investigated Jeong's relationship with the individual who allegedly threw the cup, identified as Yoon Mo. Police confirmed through CCTV footage that Jeong and Yoon, his personal trainer, met the day before the incident.

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We could not disclose investigation details of a candidate whose charges were not proven.

During questioning on May 18, Yoon reportedly admitted to staging the attack at Jeong's request. Jeong was subsequently indicted on May 19. Police sought an arrest warrant on May 20, but prosecutors requested further investigation. The warrant was eventually issued on June 2, with the arrest executed on June 4, the day after the election. Police cited insufficient preparation time for immediate execution on June 3 due to multiple search locations.

Police stated they conducted three interviews with Jeong after his indictment, confirming the criminal charges. They defended the investigation's duration, citing the need for thorough evidence to ensure successful prosecution, given election-related cases have a short six-month statute of limitations. The investigation was conducted in close consultation with prosecutors, and the case is expected to be transferred to the prosecution on July 16.

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The investigation was conducted in close consultation with prosecutors.