Prosecutors Identify 90 Million Won Distributed During Democratic Party Convention

The prosecution is reportedly investigating a total of 90 million won in cash distributed ahead of the May 2021 Democratic Party leadership election.

Prosecutors waiting for a search and seizure in front of Assemblyman Yoon Kwan-seok's office [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the legal community on the 13th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-cheol) has identified the scale of illegal political funds as such and is analyzing seized items to confirm the specific process of providing the funds and the involvement of participants.

The prosecution conducted raids the previous day on Democratic Party lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok (Incheon Namdong-eul) and Lee Sung-man (Incheon Bupyeong-gap), Kang Rae-gu, president of the Korea Audit Association, Park Mo, a former aide to former party leader Song Young-gil, and Cho Taek-sang, former political vice mayor of Incheon, on charges of violating the Political Parties Act and the Political Funds Act.

The prosecution suspects that these individuals, affiliated with the campaign at the time, distributed money through various channels to elect former leader Song as party leader. Kang, who was in charge of organization management in Song Young-gil’s campaign, is believed to have procured a total of 90 million won from a businessman in the Daejeon area, with lawmakers Yoon and Lee acting as intermediaries. Of this amount, 60 million won is believed to have been received by Yoon through former Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jung-geun (who is under indictment in custody) and then distributed to other lawmakers and delegates, according to the investigation.

The prosecution is also reported to have secured phone call records in which Kang, who arranged the funds, spoke with Lee, saying, "Ten envelopes are prepared, so please deliver them to Lawmaker Yoon," or "Brother Kwan-seok (Lawmaker Yoon) said, 'Shouldn't we give some to the lawmakers?'" The prosecution believes that the funds were distributed at 3 million won to each member of the National Assembly and 500,000 won to each delegate.

A prosecution official emphasized, "Since the crimes were committed multiple times targeting lawmakers and delegates, the degree of involvement and actions vary," adding, "Within the 90 million won, the offenders' actions may differ."

The prosecution has so far identified 10 incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers who received the envelopes. Once investigations into the fund providers and deliverers are completed, the probe will expand to include recipients. Depending on the investigation results, many Democratic Party lawmakers may face legal action. The amount of distributed funds could also increase.

Article 50 of the Political Parties Act stipulates that providing or receiving money, entertainment, etc., to elect a specific person during a party leader election process is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 6 million won. Those who order, encourage, demand, or mediate such acts face heavier penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.

Former leader Song, currently staying in Paris, France, is reportedly not registered as a suspect. However, since the incident occurred within the election campaign and Song was the ultimate beneficiary of the fund distribution, a direct investigation of him appears inevitable.

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