‘Refusal to Attend Trial’ Song Young-gil Demands Recording of ‘In-Prison Speech’ for General Election

Ministry of Justice Reviews Regulations on Allowing Video Recording

After being indicted on allegations of distributing cash envelopes during the Democratic Party of Korea’s party convention and failing to secure bail, Song Young-gil, leader of the Sonamu Party, who has been refusing to attend court, has reportedly requested to record a broadcast speech for the general election from prison.

The 'Sonamudang Party Founding Convention' is being held at the Roh Moo-hyun Citizen Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

According to the legal community on the 3rd, Song recently requested the Correction Headquarters of the Ministry of Justice to allow him to record a TV broadcast speech as a candidate for the 22nd National Assembly election while incarcerated at Seoul Detention Center.

The Public Official Election Act stipulates that candidates for the National Assembly election may deliver television and radio speeches during the election campaign period to announce their party’s platform and policies, the candidate’s views, and other necessary promotional matters. In the case of constituency National Assembly elections, candidates are allowed to give up to two speeches each on television and radio, each lasting no more than 10 minutes, using local broadcasting facilities.

Song founded the Sonamu Party while incarcerated and declared his candidacy for the Gwangju Seo-gu Gap constituency on the 11th of last month.

Previously, ahead of the 17th general election in 2004, former lawmaker Park Joo-sun, who was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial for charges of receiving slush funds from Hyundai, ran for office from prison and was permitted by correctional authorities to record a broadcast speech from prison. At that time, Park, who was an independent candidate, recorded his TV speech in casual clothes at Seoul Detention Center.

The Ministry of Justice is reportedly reviewing internal regulations to decide whether to allow Song’s request to record the broadcast speech.

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