Prosecutors Inside Show Cynicism Toward Song Young-gil's 'Self-Volunteered Appearance'... "Old Activist Habits"

There is cynicism within the prosecution and legal circles regarding the repeated voluntary appearances of former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, who has been identified as the ultimate beneficiary of the Democratic Party's '2021 Party Convention Money Envelope Scandal.'

First, Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, who received a briefing on the case from the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-cheol) to explain the arrest warrants for independent lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Sung-man, key suspects in the money envelope scandal, told former leader Song on the 7th, the day of his second voluntary appearance, "Even if you feel anxious, it would be best to respond well to the investigation according to the procedures," adding, "Instead of dragging in various issues, you should respond just like the others, following the procedures."

Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, who is involved in the money envelope allegations related to the party convention, is making a statement after leaving the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 7th without being questioned. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

On the 8th, Deputy Chief Prosecutor A of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said, "(Former leader Song) cannot be stopped from coming by the prosecution, but he seems very impatient," adding, "There are stages in an investigation, and even if he wants to skip steps, the investigation cannot proceed ahead of schedule." Prosecutor B also said, "There are cases where complainants or accusers come to the prosecution urging for a quick investigation, but it is the first time I have seen a suspect come repeatedly asking to be investigated."

Reactions outside the prosecution were similar. A lawyer who is a former chief prosecutor said, "He is putting on a show to gesture that he is innocent, but it is questionable whether the public will see it that way," adding, "It might rather appear as a sign of impatience."

The lawyer added, "If he were truly confident of his innocence, he would just stay put and come out to talk when the prosecution calls him," and said, "Going twice without being summoned, creating an impression that the prosecution is refusing to investigate, might look good to his supporters but will appear undesirable to the general public."

Regarding former leader Song’s remarks the previous day that the bribery occurring in the party’s internal election was not a serious crime, the lawyer said, "It shows a lack of legal consciousness," and added, "Whether it is an internal party election or a general election, buying votes with money is one of the gravest crimes in a democratic country. It shakes the foundation of our democracy."

He continued, "Such thinking reflects a past activist mindset that somewhat mocks democratic procedures and does not value processes or methods as long as the goal is achieved," adding, "Democracy is a system where the process is more important than the outcome, and ignoring this shows a lack of democratic literacy."

The dominant analysis behind former leader Song’s two appearances before the prosecution is that it was a "move to avoid detention." By actively showing a gesture of cooperating with the investigation, he aimed to create the perception that there is no risk of evidence destruction, and politically, to portray himself as being persecuted by the prosecution.

A prosecutor with extensive special investigation experience said, "It will have no impact on the investigation," adding, "Even though he knows he cannot be interrogated, he is doing this so that if there is a future issue regarding his detention, he can claim, 'I went to the prosecution and sincerely cooperated with the investigation.'"

Another prosecutor said, "Looking at the timing of former leader Song’s appearances, his intentions are clear." This prosecutor said, "Former leader Song returned from Paris, France on April 24 and voluntarily appeared before the prosecution for the first time on the 2nd of last month. He likely went to gauge the atmosphere of how the prosecution is investigating the money envelope scandal." The second voluntary appearance on the 7th came at a time when the prosecution had just raided the National Assembly Secretariat and the identification of lawmakers involved in the money envelope scandal was becoming clear. A lawyer in Seocho-dong said, "Former leader Song’s voluntary appearances were a political show aimed at portraying himself as a fighter standing up to the prosecution, fitting for someone from the 86-generation activist background."