With the arrest of former leader Song Young-gil, who was identified as the central figure in the 'money envelope distribution' allegations during the 2021 Democratic Party of Korea leadership election, the prosecution is expected to intensify its investigation into the case. Having secured custody of Song, who had strongly denied the charges against him, the prosecution is anticipated to promptly summon 20 incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers suspected of receiving the money envelopes for questioning.
Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is suspected of distributing money envelopes during the party's presidential election, is attending the warrant hearing held on the 18th at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
On the previous day, Judge Yoo Chang-hoon, head of the warrant division at the Seoul Central District Court, issued an arrest warrant for former leader Song Young-gil. The reason for the issuance, presented by Judge Yoo, was strict and resolute to the extent that it contradicted Song’s confident declaration at a book meeting held in Daegu on the 2nd that he was sure the arrest warrant would be dismissed. Judge Yoo emphasized, "The suspect (former leader Song Young-gil) is suspected of receiving a large amount of illegal political funds and being partially involved in the acceptance of money related to the party leadership election, which is a serious matter." He also stated, "Considering the suspect’s actions and all circumstances confirmed during the investigation regarding personal and material evidence, there is a concern about the destruction of evidence." Essentially, most of the prosecution’s claims emphasizing the necessity of detention were accepted as they were.
In particular, the fact that most of the allegations summarized by the prosecution when requesting the arrest warrant were substantiated, and the court’s judgment that "the matter is serious," could serve as a foundation for the prosecution to expand its investigation. Attention is focused on whether investigations will immediately be conducted on the 20 incumbent lawmakers suspected of receiving the money envelopes. The prosecution believes that Song directly participated in distributing a total of 66.5 million won, including 20 money envelopes intended for members of the National Assembly, during March to April 2021, ahead of the Democratic Party leadership election, to party lawmakers and regional headquarters chiefs. The prosecution has also identified 20 Democratic Party lawmakers who are believed to have received the distributed money envelopes. Among them, independent lawmaker Lee Seong-man and Democratic Party lawmakers Lim Jong-seong and Heo Jong-sik have already been summoned for questioning and subjected to search and seizure. The prosecution is expected to soon launch a full-scale investigation into the remaining 17 lawmakers.
Additionally, the prosecution is expected to accelerate its investigation into illegal political funds suspected to have been received by Song through the external support organization "Peace and Livelihood Research Institute (Meoksa-yeon)." Song is also accused of receiving a total of 763 million won in illegal political funds from seven businesspeople through Meoksa-yeon between January 2020 and December 2021. Regarding this, the prosecution is known to have detected multiple circumstances where donations were made to Meoksa-yeon immediately before and after Song’s meetings, such as when Song visited a businessperson’s factory. In particular, the 40 million won received from Park Yong-ha, former chairman of the Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in July to August 2021 is regarded by the prosecution as a bribe with a clear quid pro quo, provided to request approval for a waste incineration facility.
The investigation is expected to continue until early next year, culminating on January 31, when the first trial verdict for independent lawmaker Yoon Kwan-seok and former Korea Water Resources Corporation standing auditor Kang Rae-gu is scheduled. At the sentencing hearing held the previous day before the Criminal Division 21-2 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Kim Jeong-gon, Kim Mi-kyung, Heo Kyung-moo), the prosecution requested a five-year prison sentence for lawmaker Yoon and a three-year prison sentence for Kang. The prosecution urged the court for severe punishment, stating, "This case seriously infringes upon constitutional values such as party democracy by distributing money to local party branch chiefs and others, undermining the foundation of representative democracy." Lawmaker Yoon was indicted and detained on charges of receiving a total of 60 million won from members of Song’s campaign team to provide to incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers to support Song’s election ahead of the May 2021 Democratic Party leadership election.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
