Order to Avoid Contact with Heo Jongsik and Lee Seongman
Sentenced to Two Years in Prison and Taken into Custody in First Trial
Song Younggil, leader of the Sonamoo Party, who was taken into custody after being sentenced to prison in the first trial for receiving illegal political funds, has been released and will now stand trial without detention.
On June 23, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 1, presided over by Chief Judge Yoon Seongsik, granted Song's request for bail (release under conditions such as a security deposit). The court set bail conditions including a deposit of 50 million won, submission of a written pledge to appear in court, restrictions on residence, and requiring permission to travel abroad.
The court also ordered Song not to contact those involved in the case, including Representative Heo Jongsik, who is implicated in the Democratic Party's cash envelope scandal, as well as former lawmakers Lee Seongman, Yoon Kwansuk, and Lim Jongseong, former aide Park Yongsoo, and former Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Park Yongha.
Song was found guilty in the first trial of receiving illegal political funds in the form of donations through the external organization "Institute for Peace and Livelihood Issues," which supports and assists his political activities. He was sentenced to two years in prison and taken into custody in court.
However, he was acquitted in the first trial of charges related to involvement in the distribution of cash envelopes during the Democratic Party's primary election process.
Song was indicted and detained in early January last year and was released on bail on May 30 of the same year while undergoing his first trial. However, after being sentenced to prison in the first trial on January 8 of this year, his bail was revoked and he was taken back into custody.
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