Prosecutors Plan to Request Arrest Warrant for Kang Raegu... First Detention Expected in 'Money Envelope' Personnel Case

Prosecutors investigating allegations of bribery involving cash envelopes distributed during the May 2021 Democratic Party of Korea leadership election are expected to soon request an arrest warrant for Kang Raegoo, president of the Korea Audit Association, who played a key role in delivering the money. This marks the first time the prosecution has sought to secure the suspect’s custody since the cash envelope scandal broke, drawing attention to whether the investigation will accelerate.

Prosecutors [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the prosecution on the 18th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Youngcheol) is considering requesting an arrest warrant after summoning Kang once more for questioning as a suspect. On the 16th, prosecutors questioned Kang about how the money was raised and delivered.

The prosecution is expected to argue to the court the necessity of detention, citing Kang’s denial of the charges related to him and concerns over potential evidence destruction. Kang is seen as the “key man” who can reveal the source of the 20 cash envelopes distributed during the leadership election and is currently regarded by the legal community as the person whose custody the prosecution can secure most quickly. The prosecution is conducting investigations focusing on nine donors who distributed the money, without immediately identifying the recipients. Compared to Democratic Party lawmakers Yoon Gwansuk and Lee Seongman, who require procedural steps such as a vote on arrest consent to issue arrest warrants, Kang can be summoned for court hearings immediately upon the request for an arrest warrant, which supports this expectation.

According to the warrant issued when the prosecution searched the offices of lawmakers Yoon Gwansuk and Lee Seongman on the 12th, Kang is suspected of personally raising 80 million won out of 94 million won prepared by associates of former party leader candidate Song Younggil’s campaign, and of directing and encouraging the raising of the remaining 14 million won. Specifically, in April 2021, under Yoon’s instructions, Kang allegedly raised 30 million won through an acquaintance, divided it into 10 envelopes containing 3 million won each, and delivered them. After receiving an additional order, he is suspected of preparing another 10 envelopes with 3 million won each. The warrant also states that Kang instructed Cho Taeksang, former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs of Incheon City, to raise 14 million won. Kang reportedly testified during previous investigations that the money was “procured from construction company subcontractors in the Daejeon area.”

Kang is also drawing attention as a figure who could clarify the possible involvement of former Democratic Party leader Song Younggil, who appears to be the ultimate beneficiary of the money delivery. A recorded phone call obtained during the investigation of former Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Lee Junggeun reportedly contains Lee telling Kang, “Song Younggil asked, ‘Did Raegoo spend a lot of money?’”

Meanwhile, Song, who is currently in Paris, France, is scheduled to hold a press conference locally on the 22nd to address the cash envelope allegations. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung requested Song’s voluntary return during a phone call on the 16th. However, Song’s decision to hold a press conference is interpreted as a de facto refusal of that request.

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