Yoo Sang-beom "Lee Jung-geun's Personal Misconduct? Song Young-gil Gate Will Open"

Yoo Sang-beom, the senior spokesperson of the People Power Party, suggested the possibility of a 'Song Young-gil Gate' in relation to the 'money envelope suspicion' surrounding the Democratic Party of Korea, criticizing former leader Song Young-gil's claim that it was "the personal deviation of former Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jeong-geun" as a "scapegoating" attempt.

On the 14th, Yoo said on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs,' "The very statement that it was a personal deviation implies that there is a high possibility that the party was aware of it, at least after the fact," indicating this possibility.

Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, is leaving the campaign office in Jung-gu, Seoul, after holding a press conference acknowledging his defeat on the 1st. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

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He added, "Even based on his own words, saying it was a personal deviation means that there was at least post-facto awareness of the matter, and if so, this ultimately opens a gate to the illegal political funds suspicion involving former leader Song."

He emphasized that the focus of the investigation inevitably falls on former leader Song. Yoo said, "At this stage, the structure inevitably leads to that conclusion," and continued, "According to media reports, about 10 current lawmakers involved, totaling 40 people, received approximately 96 million won. It seems this information came out during the search warrant process."

The Democratic Party criticizes the 'money envelope suspicion' investigation as political. The day before, Woo Sang-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said on KBS Radio, "It seems to have been hastily brought up to cover up the US surveillance and wiretapping incident." Yoo responded, "How is it that every speaker repeats the same script without change?" He added, "Whenever the Democratic Party is investigated, they habitually raise conspiracy theories about why the investigation is happening now, accusing the prosecution of planned investigations and political maneuvers. This consistent narrative started when a businessman revealed in March 2022 that he gave 1 billion won to Lee Jeong-geun."

Regarding the People Power Party's dismissal of Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo from his position as standing advisor the day before, Yoo said, "Mayor Hong has repeatedly made uncomfortable and somewhat excessive remarks about Representative Kim Ki-hyun," adding, "In the process, this has effectively become an attempt to shake the party leader and includes remarks that could be perceived as very insulting."

In particular, Yoo referred to Mayor Hong's social media comment implying, "Did Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon have a weakness on you?" and said, "Conversely, it could be interpreted as, 'Did you receive money from Jeon Kwang-hoon?' This is the nuance that cannot be avoided."

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