Police Search Hospital Linked to Candidate Accused of Election Campaign Misconduct

Police have searched a hospital operated by the father of Jeong Yi-han, a former Reform Party candidate for Busan mayor, amid allegations that hospital staff were mobilized for his election campaign. The search of the On Group affiliate hospital in Busanjin-gu, Busan, on Tuesday, saw police seize work computers and related documents.

The investigation centers on suspicions that hospital employees were pressured to write supportive comments for Jeong Yi-han and to join the Reform Party during the June 3 local elections. The Busan Election Commission initiated the investigation after receiving a whistleblower report from an On Group insider.

South Korean law prohibits using one's official position within a professional organization or institution to compel members into election campaigning. This prohibition extends to using special statuses, such as those within a corporate group, to involve company employees in political activities. Police stated the search was conducted to verify these allegations and plan to question relevant individuals after analyzing the seized materials.

Jeong's father appeared in court on Tuesday for the first hearing of his appeal on charges of violating the Local Autonomy Act. He was previously sentenced to a 4 million won fine in the first trial for allegedly forcing hospital staff to campaign for a specific candidate during last year's Busan Superintendent by-election. He offered no comment when asked about the allegations of staff mobilization for his son's campaign.