Submits reinstatement application to the Incheon City Party
Will discuss potential by-election run with party leadership
Former lawmaker Yoon Kwansuk also applies for reinstatement
Former Democratic Party of Korea leader Song Younggil has applied to be reinstated in the party, three years after leaving it over allegations of distributing cash envelopes at the party convention.
Song held a press conference on Feb. 20 at the Democratic Party of Korea Incheon City Party office in Namdong-gu, Incheon, and said, "I am very pleased to be able to return after being acquitted through three years of struggle," adding, "I will return to the party and strongly support the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration, and I will do my utmost for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration by mobilizing all the capabilities I have." This came just one week after he was acquitted in the appellate court on Feb. 13 in connection with the allegations of distributing cash envelopes at the party convention.
(Incheon=Yonhap News) Im Sunseok = Song Younggil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the Incheon City Party office in Namdong District, Incheon, on Feb. 20 to submit an application for reinstatement to Ko Namsuk, chairman of the Incheon City Party, and received congratulatory bouquets from supporters. Feb. 20, 2026 soonseok02@yna.co.kr Photo by Im Sunseok
Song said, "It feels like just yesterday that I said I would leave the Democratic Party," and added, "As someone who, when I was party leader, demanded that lawmakers facing real estate controversies leave the party, I had to set an example myself, but I felt there was a great deal of injustice."
He continued, "After going through a difficult period and three years of struggle, I am very pleased to be able to return with an acquittal, and I have now kept my promise that 'I will return to the party after being acquitted.'"
Regarding why he applied for reinstatement through the Incheon City Party, he said, "Incheon is my political hometown and a place where I have spent more years than in Goheung, South Jeolla Province," calling it "my political hometown."
On the possibility of running in the by-election scheduled for June 3, he said, "I will make a decision in close consultation with the leadership, including leader Jung Cheongrae," adding, "I expect that leader Jung will probably call me sometime next week."
As for his role after reinstatement, he said, "For the development of the Republic of Korea in crisis, and for the lives of 52 million citizens and the peace of 80 million Koreans on the peninsula and abroad, I will help the Lee Jaemyung administration wherever I am needed, regardless of position or rank."
Song founded the Sonamoo Party ahead of the 2024 general election and ran for the Seo-gu Gap constituency in Gwangju while in prison.
Meanwhile, former lawmaker Yoon Kwansuk, who served three terms representing the Namdong-eul district in Incheon, also submitted an application for reinstatement together with Song.
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