The prosecution has requested a 9-year prison sentence for Song Young-gil, leader of the Sonamu Party, who was indicted on suspicion of distributing cash envelopes during the Democratic Party leadership election.
On the 6th, at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Heo Kyung-moo), during the first trial sentencing hearing for Song’s charges including bribery under the Specific Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act, violation of the Political Parties Act, and violation of the Political Funds Act, the prosecution demanded a total of 9 years in prison: 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 National Assembly member and former mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, a person who was required to uphold a higher level of compliance awareness, yet he abused his public position for private gain and betrayed his duty of integrity.” They added, “He established the Peace and Livelihood Research Institute (Meoksa-yeon) as his political external organization to lead the receipt of political funds, induced corporate donations, and used illegal means to evade regulations under the Political Funds Act.”
On the other hand, in his final statement, Song argued, “The prosecution today demanded 9 years in prison, claiming that the crime harms party democracy, but Song Young-gil’s election was a revolution in the history of the Democratic Party,” and “The victory of a third candidate, not belonging to any faction, was a victory for grassroots democracy.” He also said, “This indictment is clearly a politically motivated retaliatory investigation.”
Song was arrested and indicted on January 4 for allegedly being involved in distributing cash envelopes totaling 66.5 million won to Democratic Party lawmakers and regional headquarters chiefs during March-April 2021 to win the party leadership election.
Additionally, Song is accused of receiving illegal political funds amounting to 763 million won from seven businesspeople through the external organization, the incorporated association Meoksa-yeon, which supported and assisted his political activities from January 2020 to December 2021.
Song’s sentencing is scheduled for January 8 next year.
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