▲ Jeong Yi-han, former Busan mayoral candidate of the minor New Reform Party, appears for his arrest warrant hearing at the Busan District Court in the southeastern port city on July 8, 2026. (Yonhap)

ex-mayoral candidate-arrest warrant

Ex-Busan mayoral candidate appears for arrest warrant hearing over staged assault

BUSAN, July 8 (Yonhap) -- A former Busan mayoral candidate appeared at a court Wednesday for a hearing on his potential arrest over allegations that he staged an assault on himself in an apparent attempt to woo voters ahead of last month's local elections.

Jeong Yi-han, former candidate of the minor New Reform Party, arrived at the Busan District Court after prosecutors filed for a warrant for his arrest last week on charges of obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means and violating the election law.

"I am sorry. I will clearly disclose all the facts in the courtroom," he told reporters when asked whether he admitted to the allegations.

The court is expected to make a decision on his arrest as early as later in the day.

Jeong is accused of faking the attack on April 27 during a street campaign ahead of the June 3 elections. He was seen falling after the driver of a passenger car sprayed a beverage on him as he greeted commuters in the southeastern city of Busan.

He was diagnosed with a concussion after being rushed to a hospital, according to his election camp.

While the incident was initially seen as an attack on a politician, it was later discovered that Jeong and his purported attacker were acquaintances.

Jeong garnered 1.56 percent of the votes in last month's election, which was won by Chun Jae-soo of the ruling Democratic Party.

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