'Providing Money Envelopes' Lawmaker Yoon Kwan-seok Faces Additional Charges... Suspected Lawmaker Refuses to Appear
Prosecutors: "Statements Reflected Through Investigation... Further Investigation Needed"
Regarding the 'Party Convention Money Envelope Bribery Allegation' in the Democratic Party, Representative Heo Jong-sik (62) and former Representative Lim Jong-sung (58) have been brought to trial.
The Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Choi Jae-hoon) indicted Representative Heo and former Representative Lim without detention on charges of violating the Political Parties Act on the 29th. Yoon Kwan-seok, an independent lawmaker who was sentenced to two years in prison in the first trial related to the allegation, was additionally indicted for distributing money envelopes to them.
According to the prosecution, Representative Heo and former Representative Lim are accused of receiving money envelopes containing 3 million won each from Representative Yoon at a meeting of lawmakers supporting Song Young-gil in April 2021, ahead of the party convention.
The prosecution has so far indicted a total of seven people in connection with the Democratic Party's party convention bribery allegations and is requesting attendance from incumbent lawmakers suspected of receiving money envelopes.
A prosecution official stated, "We have secured physical and human evidence to prove the related facts through the investigation," adding, "Considering that the investigation procedures have been completed, we indicted them to accurately establish the facts and specific sentencing through the trial process."
With additional investigations into lawmakers suspected of receiving money envelopes, Representative Yoon is expected to face further indictment. Earlier, when the prosecution brought Representative Yoon to trial, it revealed that he received 60 million won from a primary campaign official with the intent to provide money envelopes to lawmakers.
However, considering that the general election is less than 30 days away, it is expected to be practically impossible to summon and investigate the lawmakers suspected of receiving money envelopes within the next month or two. Although the prosecution continues to request their attendance, the lawmakers are reportedly refusing summonses, citing legislative activities and election preparations as reasons.
Nevertheless, the prosecution maintains that summoning the lawmakers is essential regardless of evidence collection related to the money envelope bribery. A related official said, "It is necessary to verify alibis during suspect investigations and to supplement the investigation based on their statements, which is why attendance notifications were issued."
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