# South Korean Reform Party election controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-reform-party-election-controversy > Updated: 2026-09-15T02:44:53.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. The Reform Party has faced scrutiny following a controversy involving Jeong Yi-han, a former candidate for the Busan mayoral race. Acting leader Cheon Ha-ram issued a formal apology in Busan, expressing regret that the party failed to conduct sufficient verification during the nomination process. Cheon noted that while an internal task force identified problematic past behaviors, they lacked the authority to confirm direct links to a staged incident involving a beverage throw. During a trial at the Busan District Court, Jeong admitted to staging the physical attack that occurred during the June 3 local elections. While acknowledging the facts, his legal team argued the incident was not intended to boost his popularity or interfere with election freedom, but was instead motivated by a desire to resolve personal conflicts with his father. An accomplice, identified as Mr. Yoon, also admitted to participating in the attack but contested charges related to injury and obstruction of official duties. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-15: Jung Yi-han admits to staging election attack Former Busan mayoral candidate Jung Yi-han admitted to staging an attack during the local elections but claimed the motive was to resolve family conflicts rather than to influence election results. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jung-yi-han-admits-to-staging-election-attack ### 2026-09-01: Cheon Ha-ram apologizes in Busan over controversial candidate nomination Reform Party acting leader Cheon Ha-ram apologized in Busan for nominating Jeong Yi-han, a candidate accused of staging a self-inflicted attack during the local elections. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cheon-ha-ram-apologizes-in-busan-over-controversial-candidate-nomination --- Cite as: South Korean Reform Party election controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-reform-party-election-controversy