Prosecutors Extend Detention of Former Aide Song Young-gil Over 'Money Envelope Suspicion' Until 22nd

The prosecution investigating the Democratic Party of Korea's '2021 Party Convention Money Envelope Distribution Allegation' has extended the detention period of Park Yong-su (53), a former aide to ex-leader Song Young-gil, who is a key suspect.

Assistant to former representative Song Young-gil, Park Yong-su [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the legal community on the 12th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Young-chul) extended Park's detention period until the 22nd.

According to our Criminal Procedure Act, prosecutors can investigate a detained suspect for up to 20 days, including one extension. Park was detained on the 3rd. The prosecution is expected to verify the overall fund management situation, including the sources and uses of the primary election campaign funds during the remaining detention period. They also need to examine whether former leader Song, considered the 'top' of the case, gave instructions or conspired.

Park is suspected of conspiring with Kang Rae-gu, former Standing Auditor of Korea Water Resources Corporation, and Lee Jeong-geun, former Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, to distribute a total of 67.5 million won ahead of the 2021 party convention. The prosecution believes that Park provided a total of 60 million won, including 50 million won received from businessman Kim, to independent lawmaker Yoon Kwan-seok, who then distributed 3 million won each to 20 incumbent lawmakers.

Park is also accused of having the consulting firm 'Yamjeonhan Goyangi' cover 92.4 million won in polling costs related to the primary election using funds from 'Peace and Livelihood Research Institute' (Meoksayeon), an external support organization of former leader Song, and creating false estimates to conceal this by making it appear as if Meoksayeon spent the money on other projects.

He is also suspected of instructing the office manager of Meoksayeon to replace all hard drives of office computers to prevent discovery of materials related to the primary election campaign activities one month before former leader Song departed for France in November last year.

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