Yoo In-tae: "Song Young-gil Will Surely Feel Wronged... Hope He Finishes Gracefully"

Former National Assembly Secretary-General Yuin Tae argued that former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, who was at the center of the 2021 Democratic Party convention money envelope controversy, should take responsibility and even declare his retirement from politics. However, he added that there was a wrongful practice of money exchanging hands ahead of party conventions in the political world, saying, "It must be somewhat unfair for former leader Song."

On the 20th, Yuin appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "'Was I the only one? Everyone must have done it,' that must be his feeling," adding, "I hope former leader Song uses this incident as a great momentum for political development and makes a self-sacrifice with that stance."

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

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Regarding the money envelope controversy, he said, "It was a long-standing practice," and explained, "If the party convention is fierce, it gets more chaotic, and if someone wins one-sidedly, it’s a bit less chaotic, but anyway, a lot of money goes into party conventions. That cannot be eliminated. The relationship between elections and money, that temptation," he argued.

He continued, "The exchanges during party conventions are said to violate the Political Parties Act and the Political Funds Act, but compared to being caught spending money in the main election, the sense of guilt is weaker," adding, "'We are family, so please help a bit,' and whoever you meet, you have to buy fake receipts and such, right?"

He added, "(This is) not to say that this practice is okay, but rather, I think there is a need to consider ways to make this more transparent and legal," arguing that the legal system should be changed to ensure transparency in political funding.

When the host asked if such things could happen in other camps, former Secretary-General Yuin said, "You have to see it that way. I’m saying it was almost a practice," and also claimed, "It’s the same for that party (People Power Party)."

Yuin said that although former leader Song might feel unfairly treated, he should take responsibility and step down from politics, warning that if he avoids responsibility, "then only the person becomes cowardly. I hope he finishes it stylishly." He added, "If he handles things well going forward, maybe another opportunity will come. So I hope he doesn’t do it in a shabby way. That’s what I think."

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