Prosecutors Summon Kang Raegu for Second Interrogation Over 'Money Envelope Procurement for Democratic Party Convention'... Considering Arrest Warrant (Comprehensive)

The prosecution investigating the Democratic Party of Korea's 2021 party convention 'cash envelope distribution' allegations has summoned Kang Raegu, the Standing Auditor of the Korea Water Resources Corporation, who has been identified as the fund procurement agent, for questioning again on the 19th.

Prosecution [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to legal circles, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Youngcheol) re-summoned Kang as a suspect on this day. It has been three days since the investigation on the 16th. The prosecution is reportedly focusing on confirming the details of the fund procurement process and whether former representative Song gave instructions or was aware of it.

The prosecution suspects that Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Gwansuk and Kang led the illegal distribution of funds within the party to ensure the election of former representative Song Younggil ahead of the party convention in May 2021. In particular, Kang is believed to have procured 80 million won out of the 94 million won distributed at the convention from acquaintances such as businessmen in the Daejeon area.

Specifically, it is alleged that in April 2021, Kang, under Yoon's instructions, raised 30 million won through acquaintances, divided it into 10 envelopes containing 3 million won each, and delivered them. After receiving an additional order, he allegedly prepared another 10 envelopes with 3 million won each. The prosecution's warrant states that Kang also instructed former Incheon Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Cho Taeksang to raise 14 million won. Kang reportedly testified during the previous investigation that the money was "procured from cooperative companies of construction firms in the Daejeon area."

Considering the gravity of the case, the prosecution is reviewing the possibility of requesting an arrest warrant for Kang soon. Especially, as significant parts of the key evidence, the 'Lee Jeonggeun recording file,' have been widely disclosed through the media, the prosecution believes there is a high risk that the suspects might coordinate their statements.

The recorded file secured by the prosecution reportedly contains a phone conversation in which Kang reports to former representative Song that he distributed cash envelopes to regional headquarters chiefs, and Song encourages him by saying "Well done."

The recording also reportedly includes Lee telling Kang, "'Song (Younggil) asked if (Kang) Raegu spent a lot of money,'" and mentioning Kang as "working hard on supply struggles, standing on the front line."

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