Prosecution Scheduled to Voluntarily Appear Again on the 7th
Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil will voluntarily appear before the prosecution again on the 7th.
Song's lawyer, Sun Jong-moon, stated in a message sent to the media on the 6th, "Former leader Song plans to voluntarily appear at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at 9:30 a.m. on the 7th to attempt a meeting."
Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and the key suspect in the 2021 party convention cash envelope scandal, voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 2nd and is making a statement. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
This will be the second time Song voluntarily appears. He also voluntarily appeared on the 2nd of last month, requesting a meeting with the prosecution but left without being questioned. At that time, Song claimed the prosecution was conducting an unreasonable investigation and demanded, "Please do not harass those around me and instead arrest me, Song Young-gil." He also denied allegations of conspiring to distribute money envelopes.
On the 3rd of this month, he criticized on Facebook, "It has been a month and a half since I returned from Paris, but the prosecution has not even summoned me." This is interpreted as a move to influence public opinion by pointing out issues with the prosecution's investigation ahead of key developments next week, such as the parliamentary vote on the arrest warrants for independent lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Sung-man.
It seems unlikely that an investigation into former leader Song will take place soon. The prosecution plans to first secure the custody of lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Sung-man, then conduct additional investigations to identify the recipients of the money envelopes, and finally question former leader Song, who is at the center of the allegations.
A prosecution official dismissed the possibility, saying, "There has been no consultation with former leader Song, and there are no plans for an investigation." Lawyer Sun stated, "If the meeting fails, we plan to hold an impromptu press conference and a one-person protest."
The prosecution is investigating allegations that ahead of the May 2021 Democratic Party leadership election, up to 20 lawmakers received a total of 60 million won in bribes to support Song's election. Additionally, it suspects that dozens of party regional heads and local situation room chiefs were also given money envelopes containing 500,000 won and continues the investigation.
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