Song Yeong-gil, the culmination of the ‘Democratic Party money envelope suspicion’, decides in the first trial
Suspicions of involvement in spraying, bribery, and violation of the Anti-Corruption Act
Song Young-gil’s side points out the conduct of the investigation and claims forgery.
“I have not received any reports or colluded in the distribution of money envelopes.”
The prosecution requested nine years in prison for Song Young-gil, the leader of the Pine Tree Party (former Democratic Party leader), who was sent to trial on charges of receiving illegal political funds and the so-called ‘Democratic Party National Convention money envelope’ suspicion.
On the 6th, Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Settlement Division 21 (Chief Judge Heo Gyeong-moo) held a trial for Representative Song, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery).
The prosecution asked the court to sentence Representative Song to six years in prison for bribery under the Special Price Act and three years in prison for violating the Political Parties Act. The two sentences combined amount to 9 years in prison. In addition, a fine of 100 million won was requested.
The prosecution pointed out, “As the biggest beneficiary of the bribery case and the final decision-maker, he must bear the greatest criminal responsibility,” and added, “As he served five terms and was the mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, a higher level of compliance with the law is required, but he betrayed his duty of integrity.”
He then emphasized, “He created the Institute for Peace and Living Issues (Muksayeon) as an outlying organization and took the lead in receiving political funds. He systematically committed crimes by using illegal means, such as evading political fund law regulations by inducing donations.”
On the other hand, Representative Song’s side pointed out the prosecution’s investigative practices in his final argument and countered that the ‘recording file of former Vice President of the Democratic Party Lee Jeong-geun’, which is considered a key piece of evidence in the case, was collected illegally and had no evidence.
Representative Song’s attorney said, “The evidence obtained from the money envelope incident is being used as fraudulent evidence, and this is against the law that strictly limits the evidence taken by investigative agencies from other cases.” The procedures required to be issued were not followed. “It is an illegal fear investigation,” he pointed out.
Also, regarding the charge of receiving illegal political funds through a conspiracy, “In order for the defendant’s conspiracy to be established, the date, time, place, and method must be specified, but they were not specified,” and “It is questionable whether this can be established based solely on the fact that an after-the-fact report was made.” He said.
In addition, in former Vice-Chancellor Lee’s recording file, he maintained his position that he had not instructed or received any reports about money envelopes from former Rep. Yoon and others, and that he had not colluded because he was unaware of the process of distributing money envelopes.
The court set the sentencing date as January 8th of next year.
Chief Judge Heo said, “‘Write it as it happens.’ I think this is what a judge says,” and “By reviewing the case record, reflecting on the trial process, and putting it together, all of our judges put all their effort and energy into confirming what this case looked like and writing it down as it happened.” I will judge. “Nothing else will be affected,” he said to both sides.
Representative Song provided a total of 6.5 million won to 10 regional headquarters heads in March 2021 when he was running the Democratic Party representative primary campaign, and in April of the same year, 20 money envelopes (total of 60 million won) to be distributed to National Assembly members were provided to former independent Yoon Kwan-seok (formerly Democratic Party) was put on trial on charges of being involved in providing it to a lawmaker.
In addition, he was accused of receiving a bribe of 40 million won in exchange for favors through a food service association, and of receiving a total of 60 million won in off-balance sheet campaign funds from businessman Mr. Kim and former independent (former Democratic Party) lawmaker Seong-man Lee.
In addition, he is also suspected of receiving 763 million won in illegal political funds through his outlying support organization, the ‘Research Institute for Peace and Eating and Living Problems’ (Muksayeon) from 2020 to 2021. Political funds can only be raised up to a set limit according to prescribed methods, but the prosecution suspected that Representative Song had evaded the regulations of the Political Fund Act through a conspiracy.
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The article discusses the ongoing legal proceedings against Song Young-gil, the leader of the Pine Tree Party and former leader of the Democratic Party, who faces serious charges related to political corruption. On November 6, 2024, a press conference was held prior to the 35th trial concerning allegations of illegal fundraising and bribery linked to the Democratic Party, specifically the ‘money envelope’ scandal.
The prosecution has requested a nine-year prison sentence for Song, breaking it down into six years for bribery under the Special Price Act and three years for violating the Political Parties Act, along with a fine of 100 million won. They emphasize his significant role in the alleged crimes, portraying him as the primary beneficiary of the bribery and asserting that his long tenure as a public official necessitates higher accountability.
In contrast, Song’s defense argues that the prosecution’s evidence, particularly a recording connected to a party official, was obtained illegally and lacks validity. They contend that insufficient details were provided to establish a conspiracy charge and insist that Song had no knowledge of the alleged money distribution process.
The court is set to deliver a verdict on January 8, with the presiding judge expressing commitment to a fair and thorough assessment based on the trial’s records. The charges against Song detail various illicit financial activities, including unauthorized political fundraising through a designated organization, and highlight concerns about compliance with political funding regulations.