Prosecutors Search Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Seong-man over Money Envelope Allegations in Democratic Party Convention

The prosecution has launched a forced investigation after uncovering evidence of illegal political funds exchanged during the 2021 Democratic Party of Korea leadership election.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 12th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-cheol) dispatched prosecutors and investigators to more than 20 locations, including the homes and offices of Democratic Party lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Seong-man, Kang Rae-gu, president of the Korea Audit Association, and Democratic Party officials, to secure materials related to the Democratic Party leadership election held in May 2021.

The investigation, which began with the illegal political fund acceptance case involving former Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jeong-geun, has expanded to include lawmakers Roh Woong-rae and Lee Hak-young, former Presidential Secretary Office Chief Noh Young-min, and now lawmakers Yoon and Lee.

Lawmakers Yoon and Lee are accused of instructing or encouraging the provision of money or goods to elect a specific candidate in the leadership election, or receiving political funds through methods not prescribed by law (violations of the Political Parties Act and Political Funds Act).

As a result of the leadership election at that time, the Democratic Party elected lawmaker Song Young-gil as party leader. Lawmaker Yoon assisted in the election campaign for Song Young-gil’s leadership candidacy, and after Song was elected party leader, he appointed Yoon as Secretary-General, responsible for party organization and administration.

The prosecution suspects that ahead of the leadership election, President Kang provided illegal funds to Yoon’s side through former Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jeong-geun.

During the forensic examination of Lee’s mobile phone, the prosecution reportedly secured a recording file in which President Kang says, "Ten envelopes have been prepared, please deliver them to lawmaker Yoon." The amount mentioned is known to be in the tens of millions of Korean won.

Besides the money envelopes mentioned in the recording, the prosecution suspects various other delivery routes and has expanded the scope of the search and seizure. Therefore, the amount of illegal political funds may increase during the investigation.

The prosecution plans to summon key figures such as President Kang, Lee, and lawmaker Yoon to clarify the reality of the money envelopes, the source of the funds, and their nature.

Separately from this case, Lee was indicted on charges of receiving approximately 1 billion won in bribes from businessman Park Mo in exchange for various favors and was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.