Democrats, 'Money Envelope Suspicion' Scandal Spreads... Song Young-gil to Speak on 22nd

The Democratic Party is facing a growing scandal as the 'cash envelope suspicion' spreads widely. Voices from the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction (Bi-Lee Jae-myung faction) have surged, demanding that the party leadership "take a firmer stance." Song Young-gil, the former Democratic Party leader at the center of the cash envelope suspicion, is expected to hold a press conference in Paris on the 22nd to clarify his position.

Kim Jong-min, a prominent member of the Bi-Lee Jae-myung faction, pointed out on the morning of the 18th on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' saying, "Looking at the party's response, it seems quite insensitive. The sense of ethics has severely deteriorated." He added, "We have had many such (judicial risk) controversies so far," and said, "In the past, if something like this happened, the party would already be in chaos, and the leadership would have convened an emergency supreme council meeting at 9 o'clock right after the 8 o'clock news to announce measures. That would have been normal."

The day before, Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, officially apologized regarding the suspicion, and the Democratic Party leadership announced that they would not conduct an internal investigation other than requesting Song Young-gil's return. The party leadership plans to respond after monitoring the prosecution's investigation status.

However, concerns are already emerging within the party that not only the 20 or so lawmakers involved in the suspicion but the entire party could suffer significant damage in the general election, which is just one year away. A first-term lawmaker from the Bi-Lee Jae-myung faction told this outlet in a phone interview, "Of course, (there will be an impact on the general election). How do you think the public will perceive this?" He added, "I think we need to deeply reflect, apologize where necessary, and take firm measures where required." Regarding the lawmakers involved in the cash envelope issue, he said, "The voice recordings have already been broadcast, and more are likely to come out," criticizing, "It is a bad practice for the prosecution to coordinate the timing of the investigation or use it politically, but that does not mean our wrongdoing disappears."

Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, is entering the election campaign office set up in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 1st to announce his concession. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

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Calls for the party to take proactive measures are also growing. Jeong Seong-ho, a leader of the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, said on the morning of the same day on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "If the investigation progresses to some extent and becomes concrete, the party should take measures that the public can accept," adding, "This is an opportunity for the Democratic Party to present an innovation plan that clearly shows the party has changed to the public."

On the other hand, Jang Kyung-tae, a supreme council member from the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the same day, "Ultimately, we have no choice but to rely on testimonies," and added, "Even if we investigate and announce results ourselves, there could be misunderstandings of 'self-investigation' or 'self-exoneration,' so we have no choice but to wait and see the prosecution's investigation."

Meanwhile, Song Young-gil is reported to express his position on whether to return early from Paris, France, on the 22nd. Regarding Song, Kim said, "(He) should return," adding, "If he does not explain himself fairly and cooperate with the prosecution's investigation, people will think he is running away."

The People Power Party continued its fierce offensive on the same day, criticizing the Democratic Party leadership's delayed response to the cash envelope suspicion. Lee Yang-su, the senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the floor strategy meeting, "The Democratic Party's apology, which came after five days, is just to save face," and pointed out, "If they are truly reflecting on this incident, they should actively cooperate unconditionally with the investigation and strictly hold those involved accountable." Meanwhile, members of the People Power Party's judiciary committee plan to hold a press conference in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in the morning to urge a strict investigation into the cash envelope suspicion.

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