Opposition Song Young-gil's Position Debate Turns Fierce... Park Beom-gye Promises "Special Investigation Committee"

Criticism of Allegations Poured Out at the Previous Day's Party Meeting
"Opposition Party Must Take Responsibility and Show Apology"

Amid reports that former leader Song Young-gil, the central figure in the 2021 Democratic Party of Korea's money envelope scandal, will return to the country early, a fierce debate has erupted within the Democratic Party over his future. Some factions within the party are demanding Song's resignation and retirement from politics, while voices calling for a comprehensive party reform in the wake of the money envelope controversy are also emerging.

Park Beom-gye, a pro-Lee Jae-myung faction candidate for floor leader, stated in a BBS Radio interview on the morning of the 21st, "If I become the floor leader, I will establish a special investigation committee to conduct a preliminary investigation on how to handle the political responsibilities of former leader Song Young-gil, as well as lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Seok-man, who appear in the recorded conversations, based on certain principles and standards." This follows senior party figures such as former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won and former lawmaker Yoo In-tae mentioning Song's voluntary resignation and retirement from politics the previous day. The plan is to create a party-level investigative body to manage the personnel issues of those involved in the money envelope scandal. However, the Democratic Party leadership decided not to conduct an internal investigation into the money envelope allegations, fearing criticism of a 'self-investigation.'

The strong calls for accountability against former lawmaker Song both inside and outside the party stem from growing concerns about the solidification of the party's 'double standards' image ahead of next year's general elections. Since many party lawmakers are reportedly implicated in judicial suspicions, there is a demand for a clear demonstration of apology and accountability regarding the controversy. A key party official pointed out, "It is shameful that such incidents occurred under the Democratic Party's name," adding, "After losing the presidential election and being embroiled in various scandals, our party has lacked a clear stance on taking responsibility and apologizing to the public."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Won-wook, a member of the non-Lee Jae-myung faction, said, "If we are aware of this critical crisis, we must reflect on ourselves," adding, "The issue of lawmaker Min Hyung-bae's reinstatement is the same. Rather than a swift reinstatement, the Democratic Party needs to reflect on the consecutive election defeats following the adjustment of investigative authority between the police and prosecutors." He also urged, "If an apology is necessary, then we must apologize."

Previously, the Democratic Party sent messages through various channels urging former leader Song to return early, and it is reported that Song will bring forward his return date. Song had initially planned not to return, intending to express his position at a press conference in Paris on the 22nd, but appears to have changed his stance due to continued party demands. Lawmaker Woo Sang-ho commented, "The party leadership judged that it is practically impossible to conduct an investigation into what happened within Song Young-gil's campaign," adding, "Since the party cannot investigate, the intention is for him to come forward, be investigated, and report to the party, so it would be very difficult for him to refuse that."