Former Busan mayoral candidate Jeong I-han arrested over staged attack allegations

Jeong I-han, the former Reform Party candidate for Busan mayor who claimed he was attacked during campaigning for the June 3 local elections only to face charges of staging the incident himself, was arrested Wednesday.

The Busan District Court issued arrest warrants Wednesday afternoon for Jeong and Yun, the man accused of throwing a beverage at him, on charges including obstruction of official duties by deception and violations of the Public Official Election Act.

The court cited a risk of evidence destruction as grounds for Jeong's warrant, and risks of both evidence destruction and flight for Yun.

The court's decision to issue the warrants — separate from any determination of guilt or innocence — signals that it found substantial basis for the charges presented by investigators and that the investigation warranted keeping the suspects in custody.

Both Jeong and Yun face charges of obstruction of official duties by deception under the Criminal Act and violations of the Public Official Election Act. With the court having acknowledged the need to detain them, the police investigation is expected to accelerate.

Attention is now focused on Jeong's motive, how he allegedly conspired with Yun, and whether any payment changed hands. Also under investigation is whether medical law was violated in connection with diagnoses of concussion and muscle contusion issued by a hospital run by Jeong's father — including how medical certificates were issued that may not have reflected his actual condition and how the medical records were prepared.

Police are also looking into allegations that employees of On Group affiliates run by Jeong's father were mobilized for his campaign. The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency is expected to brief reporters on the details of the case and the status of the investigation soon.

Jeong, born in 1988, previously served as an official in the civil affairs secretariat of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and as a spokesperson for the Reform Party before entering politics.