Key facts
- A court issued an arrest warrant for former Busan mayoral candidate Jeong Yi-han.
- Jeong is accused of staging an assault on himself during a campaign event.
- The charges include obstruction of official duties and violating election law.
- The court cited concerns of evidence destruction and flight risk.
- Jeong garnered 1.56 percent of the votes in the recent local elections.
A court issued an arrest warrant for Jeong Yi-han, a former mayoral candidate for the minor New Reform Party in Busan, South Korea, on charges of obstruction of official duties and violating election law. Prosecutors had requested the warrant, citing concerns that Jeong might destroy evidence.
Jeong is accused of staging an assault on himself on April 27, during a street campaign ahead of the June 3 local elections. He claimed to have been attacked after a man, identified as Yoon, sprayed a beverage on him. Jeong's campaign reported he was diagnosed with a concussion following the incident.
However, investigations revealed that Jeong and Yoon were acquaintances, leading to suspicions that the event was orchestrated. The court cited the risk of evidence destruction and flight as reasons for issuing the arrest warrant.
Jeong Yi-han garnered 1.56 percent of the votes in the election, which was won by Chun Jae-soo of the ruling Democratic Party. Upon arriving at the court for his warrant hearing, Jeong told reporters, "I am sorry. I will clearly disclose all the facts in court."