by Oh Jooyean
by Keum Boryeong
Published 24 Apr.2023 10:52(KST)
Song Young-gil, the former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and a key figure in the 2021 party convention 'cash envelope' scandal, returned early on the 24th to manage the situation, but internal party conflicts appear to be spreading further. Although Song declared his resignation from the party during a press conference in France, calls for accountability toward the party leadership have intensified.
Lee Sang-min, a five-term senior lawmaker from the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction of the Democratic Party, said on CBS Radio that morning regarding the party leadership's claim that "the party does not have compulsory investigative authority, so a proper fact-finding investigation cannot be conducted," "Giving up on (an internal investigation) in advance is equivalent to the leadership giving up on its leadership," adding, "If there is no reason to exercise leadership as party leader, then there is no reason to remain in that position." Lee, who had earlier urged the party to conduct an internal investigation through the Ethics Inspection Committee, explained that if the current leadership fails to exercise its self-purification function independently of the prosecution's investigation, it loses its reason for existence.
Lee criticized, "It is very hard to understand the party leader's recent press conference statement that there is no compulsory investigative authority and that an internal investigation is ineffective, so it will not be conducted," and asked, "Then what is the party leader or leadership for?" He added, "There are views linking this to the leader's judicial risks, and various intertwined issues that, if exposed too much, could cause complicated problems and possibly internal party discord." Since the leader is currently under investigation, probing into Song Young-gil could provoke backlash such as 'who is investigating whom,' which might be burdensome.
Because of this, the party is criticized for falling into a 'self-contradiction.' Regarding Song's status, Lee emphasized, "If they think they can breathe a sigh of relief because he resigned from the party, that is scapegoating," and stressed, "Even if he leaves the party, the problem remains within the Democratic Party unchanged."
That day, the party leadership remained tight-lipped about Song Young-gil, who was returning in the afternoon. However, pro-Lee Jae-myung faction lawmakers appeared on morning radio shows and evaluated Song's resignation and early return as "fortunate." Park Beom-gye, a candidate for floor leader, said on KBS Radio, "Although the timing feels somewhat late, it is fortunate that he sincerely accepts political responsibility and follows the steps of resignation and immediate return." Park also emphasized the need for efforts to uncover the truth, judging that leaving it solely to the prosecution could prolong risks until the general election.
Kim Min-seok, chairman of the Democratic Party's Policy Committee, who had defended Song on Facebook the previous day by calling him "a person with little greed," appeared on SBS Radio and said, "Since the facts regarding the 'cash envelope' allegations are just beginning, it is not appropriate to comment," but added, "However, as a party member responsible for the situation, his attitude of resigning from the party to prove himself and doing his best to return is consistent with what he has held so far."
Meanwhile, the People Power Party continued its relentless offensive against Song Young-gil and the Democratic Party that day. Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 24th, "Song Young-gil's Paris melodrama, which ignores the core issues and appeals only to emotions, only confirmed the Democratic Party's serious moral insensitivity," and directly criticized, "Their reflection and responsibility score zero." Kim pointed to Song's resignation, saying, "In the Democratic Party, where disguised resignations are habitual, Song's temporary resignation is not an act of taking responsibility at all," and criticized, "Song, who caused a fire in his own house, arrogantly claims to be a patriot alone, showing the Democratic Party's irresponsible true face."
Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, urged Song's active cooperation with the investigation. Yoon emphasized, "This Democratic Party cash envelope scandal is not the personal misconduct of one or two lawmakers but a collective crime involving dozens. Removing one or two people from the party will not solve the problem," and added, "What the Democratic Party and Song Young-gil need is not to mislead the public with excuses but to actively cooperate with the prosecution's investigation and await the judiciary's judgment."
Kim Byung-min, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, sharply criticized some Democratic Party figures who praised Song Young-gil as "a person with little greed" and "truly a great figure." Kim said, "If even the Justice Party lashes out at Song and the Democratic Party's evasive strategies, condemning the outdated and backward old politics of the Democratic Party, how bad must it be?" He added, "The shamelessness of turning the key figure of the cash envelope scandal into a modest, ascetic politician shows how the unified front of the 86 activist generation has corrupted and impoverished our politics."
Song Young-gil departed France at 8 p.m. local time the previous day and is expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport around 3 p.m. today. At a press conference held in Paris two days ago, Song declared his voluntary resignation from the party and accepted the party's request for early return. Having stayed in France since December last year as a visiting research professor at ESCP Business School (Grandes ?coles de Paris), he was originally scheduled to return in July but brought the date forward by about two months due to the cash envelope scandal controversy at the party convention. Song is expected to briefly express his thoughts upon arrival.
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