Democrats, 'Money Envelope Suspicion' Scandal Spreads... "Song, Infinite Responsibility" Pressure for Resolution (Comprehensive)

Park Hong-geun "Expect Song Young-gil to Take Responsibility"
Opposition Faction "Leadership Must Take Stronger Measures"

The Democratic Party of Korea's 'cash envelope scandal' is rapidly spreading. Song Young-gil, the former Democratic Party leader at the center of the allegations, is reportedly scheduled to hold a press conference in Paris on the 22nd to clarify his position, while the party leadership pressured him to take "full responsibility" and resolve the issue.

Park Hong-geun, the Democratic Party floor leader, met with reporters at the National Assembly that afternoon and said, "Since he himself said he would hold a press briefing on the 22nd locally, we will closely monitor the situation," emphasizing, "Since this matter occurred during Song Young-gil's party leader election campaign, isn't he the one who should take full responsibility for it?"

Park continued, "We expect a statement from him expressing a corresponding position and an early return to take responsible action to resolve this issue," adding, "After his (Song's) final position is announced, our party will also have its stance." He also commented on the investigation, saying, "If there are any violations of current laws or party rules during the prosecution's investigation process and results, corresponding measures will inevitably be necessary."

On the same day, Democratic Party lawmakers criticized the party leadership's belated apology and delayed response, urging decisive action. Kim Jong-min, a prominent non-mainstream member, pointed out on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' that "the party's response shows a significant numbness. The sense of ethics has severely deteriorated." He added, "We have had many such (judicial risk) controversies so far," and said, "In the past, if something like this happened, the party would have already been in turmoil, and the leadership would have convened an emergency supreme council meeting at 9 p.m. right after the 8 p.m. news to announce measures."

The day before, party leader Lee Jae-myung officially apologized for the allegations, and the Democratic Party leadership announced that aside from requesting Song's return, they would not conduct an internal investigation. The leadership plans to respond after monitoring the prosecution's investigation.

Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, is expressing his concession at the election campaign office set up in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 1st. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Within the party, concerns are rising that not only the 20 or so lawmakers involved in the allegations but the entire party could suffer significant damage in the general election, which is just a year away. A non-mainstream first-term lawmaker told this outlet in a phone interview, "Of course, it will affect the election. How do you think the public will perceive this?" He added, "We need to deeply reflect, apologize where necessary, and take firm measures where required." Regarding the lawmakers involved in the cash envelope scandal, he said, "The audio recordings have already been broadcast, and more are likely to come out," criticizing, "While it is a bad practice for the prosecution to coordinate the timing of the investigation or use it politically, that does not erase our wrongdoing."

Jung Sung-ho, a pro-Lee Jae-myung faction leader and Democratic Party lawmaker, also said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that "if the investigation progresses and becomes more concrete, the party should take measures that the public can accept," adding, "This is an opportunity for the Democratic Party to show the public that it has truly changed through innovative reforms."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, Jang Kyung-tae, a pro-Lee Jae-myung supreme council member, said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "we ultimately have to rely on testimonies," and "even if we investigate and announce results ourselves, there could be misunderstandings of 'self-investigation' or 'self-exoneration,' so we have no choice but to wait for the prosecution's investigation."

The People Power Party continued its fierce criticism of the Democratic Party leadership's delayed response to the cash envelope allegations. Lee Yang-su, the People Power Party floor deputy leader, said at a floor strategy meeting, "The Democratic Party's apology, coming five days late, is just a face-saving gesture," and criticized, "If they are truly remorseful about this incident, they should actively cooperate unconditionally with the investigation and strictly hold those involved accountable." Meanwhile, People Power Party judiciary committee members plan to hold a press conference in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office that morning, urging a thorough investigation into the cash envelope allegations.

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