'Suspicion of Distributing Cash Envelopes' Song Young-gil's 2nd Trial Today... Also Bail Hearing

The hearing for the decision on bail approval for Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party, who was indicted while in custody over allegations of money envelope distribution at the Democratic Party convention and illegal political fund receipt, will be held on the 6th.

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

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 21 (Presiding Judge Heo Kyung-moo) will conduct the hearing from 10 a.m. on the same day to decide whether Song will be tried without detention. A trial related to charges of violation of the Political Funds Act and bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes will also be held at the same time.

Song was arrested and indicted on January 4 this year on charges of involvement in distributing money envelopes totaling 66.5 million won to Democratic Party lawmakers and regional headquarters chiefs during March to April 2021 in the process of trying to be elected as party leader at the 2021 party convention.

He is also accused of receiving a total of 763 million won in illegal political funds from seven businesspeople under the name of donations through the 'Peace and Livelihood Issues Research Institute' (Meoksayeon) from January 2020 to December 2021. Among these, the prosecution stated in the indictment that 40 million won received from Park Yong-ha, former chairman of the Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in July to August 2020 was a bribe received along with an illicit request related to the approval of an incineration facility.

At the first trial held on the 4th, Song appealed, saying, "As the general election approaches, I am about to establish a political party (Sonamu Party) soon, so I ask for a non-detention trial so that I can engage in political activities and defend myself (in court)."

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, Song requested bail from the court, asking to be allowed to engage in political activities. Bail is a system that suspends detention execution and releases the defendant on the condition of paying a certain deposit.

Meanwhile, Song will hold the founding convention of the new party 'Sonamu Party' in the afternoon of the same day.

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