Hong Joon-pyo: "Song Young-gil, It's Not a Crime Worth Death... Shouldn't It Be a Non-Detention Trial?"

"Will Be Helpful When Unraveling Jungkook"

Hong Jun-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, claimed that releasing Song Young-gil, the leader of the Sonamu Party, who was indicted and detained on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act and the Political Funds Act, from the detention center could be beneficial for the future political situation. On the 15th, in a post on Facebook, Mayor Hong wrote, "Since the election is over, wouldn't it help to release Leader Song Young-gil and conduct the investigation into the money envelope incident without detention to help resolve the political situation going forward?" He added, "He hasn't committed a capital crime, so wouldn't it be right to hold the trial without detention if possible?"

Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu
Photo by Yonhap News

Leader Song was indicted while in detention since January. During the April 10 general election, he even conducted election campaigning by delivering 'prison speeches' from inside the detention center.

Regarding this, Mayor Hong added, "I hope the relations between the ruling and opposition parties change and the world changes a bit."

Leader Song is accused of distributing envelopes containing a total of 66.5 million won to party officials and regional headquarters chiefs in March-April 2021, ahead of the Democratic Party's national convention. He is also accused of receiving 763 million won in political funds through an external organization, the incorporated association 'Institute for Livelihood Issues.'

Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, who was identified as the central figure in the allegations of distributing money envelopes during the Democratic Party convention, leaving the court after completing the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) in December last year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

After being indicted on these charges, he founded the Sonamu Party and declared his candidacy for the April 10 general election, requesting bail. However, when the court dismissed the request, Leader Song was absent from the trial twice in a row but appeared at the third hearing on the 15th.

Meanwhile, the first trial date for three current and former lawmakers suspected of receiving money envelopes along with Leader Song was also held that day. The accused, Representative Heo Jong-sik and former Representatives Lim Jong-sung and Lee Seong-man, all denied the charges.