[Reporter’s Notebook] Shameful Election Campaign Fund 'Begging'

"Since the structure for officially raising (election funds) for the presidential or party leadership elections doesn't exist, the campaign members resort to 'begging' individually by asking senior acquaintances for favors like 'buy me a meal, buy me a drink, give me some expenses' out of convenience."

This is a statement made by Lee Dong-gi, who sat as a witness in court on the 9th regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's party leadership election money envelope scandal. Lee was called as a witness by the side of Park Yong-su, a former aide to former party leader Song Young-gil. Park is currently on trial, charged with violating the Political Parties Act for his involvement in the distribution of money envelopes during the 2021 party leadership election.

During about an hour of witness examination, Lee appeared somewhat nervous. Especially during cross-examination by the prosecution, he mostly answered with "I don't know" or "I don't remember." However, when it came to Lee Jung-geun, the key figure suspected of distributing money envelopes and former Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, Lee firmly distanced himself, saying, "He was very power-hungry. He did not get along with the campaign people."

Lee introduced himself as having been with the late Kim Geun-tae, a revered figure in the democratization movement, for over 20 years. He served as an administrative officer at the Blue House during the Roh Moo-hyun administration and also ran as a Democratic Party candidate for a parliamentary seat in the Gangwon region. He has extensive experience in election campaigns both inside and outside the party and knows the internal workings better than anyone.

After a series of unproductive questions and answers, Lee relaxed in the last 10 minutes. The court, seemingly frustrated, directly asked how the campaign funds were raised, prompting Lee to liken it to ‘begging.’ He said, "If someone I know gave me 1 million won, I would use that money to eat and drink with volunteers," adding that such money was not reported to the candidate. Even the presiding judge, finding it hard to believe, asked several times, "Wouldn't someone need to manage such funds?" Lee shook his head and instead described this method of fundraising as a ‘personal ability.’

Regarding this Democratic Party money envelope scandal, perspectives in Seocho-dong and Yeouido are completely divided. The prosecution sees a total management problem with funds raised externally, including through the public interest corporation ‘Peace and Livelihood Research Institute.’ On the other hand, the political circles strongly perceive it as a ‘custom.’ Yet, the use of the term ‘begging’ suggests even they did not consider it something to be proud of. This money envelope primary scandal is the result of a deeply rotten bad practice disguised as a custom. The old habits of the political world are far, far removed from the common sense of present-day Republic of Korea. ‘Money elections’ are the ultimate proof. The public is watching the trial outcome closely.

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