Was the "Beverage Attack" Staged? Police Investigate Reform New Party Candidate Jung Eehan

Jung Eehan, Former Reform New Party Candidate Defeated in Busan Mayoral Election
Police Raid Candidate’s Campaign Office Day After the Election
Reform New Party: "Jung Has Left the Party... We Will Cooperate with the Investigation"

It has been reported that the police are investigating the possibility that the so-called “beverage attack” claimed by Jung Eehan, former Busan mayoral candidate of the Reform New Party during the June 3 local election campaign, may have been staged.

In April, after the 'Drink Throwing' incident, Jeong Ihan, then Reform New Party candidate for Busan mayor, wearing a neck brace, is visiting Lee Junseok, the party leader, and the mayor of Gupo, Buk-gu, Busan. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to Yonhap News Agency on June 17, Busan Geumjeong Police Station is currently verifying the facts related to the beverage-throwing incident involving Jung.

According to the report, the police conducted a search and seizure of Jung’s campaign office on June 4, the day after the election. The investigation was carried out privately, as authorities determined it could affect the election, and the Reform New Party’s central committee was informed of this immediately after the election.

It is known that police are considering whether to apply charges such as obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means, dissemination of false information, and violations of the Public Official Election Act, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

A police official stated, “We are reviewing materials related to the circumstances of the incident,” and added, “It is difficult to disclose the specific clues that led to the investigation or the concrete results at this time.”

The incident occurred on April 27 near the Guseo Interchange in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, during a campaign event. At the time, Jung claimed that he was struck by a beverage thrown by a passing vehicle driver while campaigning. His campaign stated that Jung lost consciousness after falling while trying to avoid the beverage, was transported to the hospital, and was diagnosed with a concussion and muscle sprain.

Immediately after the incident, the police, based on closed-circuit TV footage, urgently arrested a man in his 30s who was driving the vehicle. However, the court rejected the arrest warrant. Subsequently, Jung personally visited the detained driver and submitted a petition for leniency, and returned to campaigning two days after the incident while wearing a neck brace.

Photo released by candidate Jeong Ihan's campaign at the time. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In response, the Reform New Party’s central committee stated on the same day, “Upon learning of the matter regarding the former candidate Jung, we decided to fully cooperate with the investigative process to ensure that no doubts remain,” adding, “The party is also acutely aware that as a victim in this case, clarifying the facts is directly tied to the party’s reputation.”

The Reform New Party also noted that Jung has already left the party, and added, “Should the facts be confirmed through the investigation, the central committee will take additional necessary civil and criminal actions.”

Yonhap News Agency reported that it attempted to contact Jung for his position, but was unable to reach him.

Meanwhile, Jung placed third in the June 3 local election for Busan mayor, receiving 27,418 votes (1.56%). During the campaign, he drew attention by proposing an open verification to rival candidates using a lie detector at a three-way televised debate for Busan mayoral candidates.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.