Prosecution Seeks 9-Year Prison Sentence for Song Young-gil, Accused of Distributing 'Democratic Party Money Envelopes'

The prosecution has requested the court to sentence Song Young-gil, leader of the Sonamu Party, who was indicted on suspicion of distributing cash envelopes during the Democratic Party leadership election, to 9 years in prison.

Song Young-gil, representative of Sonamudang. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 6th, during the first trial sentencing hearing for Song's charges including bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, violation of the Political Parties Act, and violation of the Political Funds Act, held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Heo Kyung-moo), the prosecution demanded a total prison sentence of 9 years: 3 years for violating the Political Parties Act, and 6 years for violating the Political Funds Act and bribery charges.

The prosecution stated, "The defendant is a five-term member of the National Assembly and former mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, a person who was required to have a higher level of compliance awareness, yet he abused his public position for private gain and violated his duty of integrity." They added, "He established the Peace and Livelihood Research Institute (Meoksayeon) as his political external organization to lead the receipt of political funds, induced corporate donations to evade regulations under the Political Funds Act, and used illegal means to circumvent the law," explaining the reasons for the sentencing request.

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

Additionally, Song is accused of receiving illegal political funds amounting to 763 million won from seven businesspeople through the external organization supporting and assisting his political activities, the incorporated association Meoksayeon, between January 2020 and December 2021, under the pretext of sponsorship.