Song Young-gil to Hold 'Okjung Election'... Court Rejects Bail Request

On the 29th, the bail request of Song Young-gil, leader of the Sonamu Party, who was arrested and indicted on charges including distributing cash envelopes during the Democratic Party leadership election, was denied. As a result, Representative Song will run in the general election while in custody.

Song Young-gil, representative of Sonamudang. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Chief Judge Heo Kyung-moo) rejected Song's bail request on the same day. The court stated the reason for denial, saying, "The crimes charged carry penalties of death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment or detention exceeding 10 years, there is a risk of evidence destruction or concealment, and there is no other substantial reason to grant bail."

Earlier, Song filed for bail on the 26th of last month. During the bail hearing on the 6th, Song told the court, "This election is an important one that will determine the fate of the Republic of Korea for the next four years," and requested, "Please allow me the opportunity to be judged by the people as a conclusion to my 25-year political career." On the 18th, Song also requested bail, saying, "Please allow me to at least take photos for the general election poster."

Song was arrested and indicted on January 4th this year on charges of involvement in distributing cash envelopes totaling 66.5 million won to Democratic Party lawmakers and regional headquarters chiefs during March to April 2021 in an attempt to be elected party leader at the 2021 leadership election.

He is also accused of receiving illegal political funds totaling 763 million won from seven businesspeople under the name of donations through the "Peace and Livelihood Issues Research Institute" (Meoksa-yeon) from January 2020 to December 2021. Among these, the prosecution stated in the indictment that 40 million won received from Park Yong-ha, former chairman of the Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in July to August 2020 was a bribe received along with an illicit request related to approval of an incineration facility.