Prosecutors Ban Song Young-gil, 'Money Envelope Beneficiary,' from Leaving the Country... Status Changed to Suspect

The prosecution investigating the 2021 Democratic Party leadership election cash envelope allegations has banned former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, the ultimate beneficiary, from leaving the country.

Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the legal community on the 25th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-cheol) imposed a travel ban on former leader Song, who returned from Paris, France the day before.

The prosecution is investigating that from March to May 2021, Democratic Party lawmakers Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Sung-man, former Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jung-geun (indicted in custody), former Korea Water Resources Corporation Standing Auditor Kang Rae-gu, and others conspired to distribute a total of 94 million won to lawmakers, delegates, and others to ensure Song's election at the leadership election.

Since all individuals involved in distributing the cash envelopes participated in Song's campaign at the time and the purpose of providing the envelopes was Song's election, the prosecution suspects that Song may have actively participated in the crime beyond mere awareness. The so-called 'Lee Jung-geun recording file' secured by the prosecution contains multiple circumstances supporting this.

Former leader Song became a suspect the day before following a complaint by Lee Jong-bae, a Seoul city council member from the People Power Party. At a press conference upon his return, Song said, "The prosecution is calling people around me, so rather than going around, if they summon me today, I will actively respond," but it is expected to take some time before an actual summons and investigation occur.

The prosecution plans to proceed with investigations starting with donors such as former auditor Kang according to the investigation team's plan, then identify the lawmakers who received the money, and finally proceed to investigate former leader Song as the final step.

The prosecution is conducting supplementary investigations into the charges by summoning former auditor Kang again today after his arrest warrant was dismissed. Park Mo, who served as Song's aide, and Kim Mo, the 'sponsor' who provided money to former auditor Kang, may also be summoned in the future. The prosecution believes that Song's early return has increased concerns about organized evidence destruction and plans to reapply for an arrest warrant for former auditor Kang soon based on the results of the supplementary investigation.

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