Song Young-gil: "Don't Harass Those Around Me, Please Arrest Me"

Prosecutors Turn Away from Central District Prosecutors' Office Entrance as Song Young-gil Refuses Investigation

Former leader Song Young-gil, who was identified as an accomplice in the bribery allegations related to the Democratic Party of Korea's 2021 party convention, voluntarily appeared at the prosecution office on the 2nd.

Former leader Song Young-gil, identified as the key suspect in the 2021 Democratic Party of Korea's party convention cash envelope scandal, voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Around 10 a.m. that day, Song arrived at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul. He attempted to obtain a visitor pass at the first-floor civil service office to go up to the prosecutor's office, but his attendance was refused, and he turned back at the entrance.

When Song was unable to get a visitor pass, he tried to call Kim Young-cheol, head prosecutor of the Anti-Corruption Division 2, who is leading the investigation into the bribery allegations, but the call was not answered, and the attempt failed.

After being refused entry by the prosecution, Song told reporters, "I hope they arrest Song Young-gil without harassing those around me," adding, "It has already been a week since I returned to the country, but the prosecution has not summoned me and is instead harassing people around me. Newlyweds who just got married in their 20s and are raising infants, working moms who are struggling to raise young sons alone?the prosecution is conducting unreasonable acts such as raids and coercive accompaniment under the pretext of investigation against secretaries in their 20s and 30s, threatening and intimidating them."

He continued, "The prosecution should conduct investigations based on evidence, not summon people indiscriminately and coerce statements through separate investigations. Such archaic investigations are unacceptable," and stated, "I believe the cruel prosecutorial investigation practices that harass people around me and commit character assassination through separate investigations like dusting off one's life should not be repeated."

He also said, "To avoid criticism that this case is a politically motivated investigation, the illegal practice of conducting dual separate investigations on Song Young-gil's associates in addition to the personal corruption case of Lee Jung-geun must stop," and added, "I urge the case to be transferred to the Public Security Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which handled the bribery case of former National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae's party convention, for a fair and swift investigation."

Former leader Song Young-gil, identified as the key suspect in the 2021 Democratic Party of Korea's party convention cash envelope scandal, voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

When asked by reporters whether he meant that the bribery itself did not occur or that he was unaware of it, Song replied, "More than one million people participated in the party convention, and as a candidate, I was running around the country every 30 minutes, so there could be situations where I was unaware. The prosecution will summon me for investigation, and if there is a problem, I will be held responsible. If indicted, I will contest it in court."

Earlier, the prosecution stated that even if Song voluntarily appeared, it would be impossible to investigate him immediately due to the investigation schedule. They also said that if Song has any statements to make at this stage, he can submit a written statement.

Article 200 of the Criminal Procedure Act (Request for Appearance of Suspect) states, "A prosecutor or judicial police officer may request the appearance of a suspect when necessary for investigation to hear their statement." It stipulates that investigative agencies may request the suspect's appearance when necessary for investigation.

A prosecution official said, "Since the investigative agency is responsible for uncovering the truth of the matter, the law allows the agency to decide the investigation method at an appropriate time and summon the suspect," adding, "Usually, if there is no investigation plan and someone just shows up unilaterally, they are not allowed to enter the prosecutor's office."

The official added, "Especially now, when former leader Song has publicly stated that he is not well aware of the facts, and with ongoing raids and many related investigations needing to be conducted first, would his unilateral appearance help uncover the substantive truth? This also does not align with criminal procedures that must be applied equally to all citizens."

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