Song Young-gil Returns to Korea: "Deeply Sorry for Causing Concern... Will Actively Respond to Prosecutor's Summons"

by Oh Jooyean

Published 24 Apr.2023 16:11(KST)

"I will never avoid or run away"

Song Young-gil, the former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and a key figure in the 2021 party convention 'money envelope' scandal, returned to the country on the 24th and said, "I am deeply sorry for causing concern to the citizens and party members due to this incident."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At around 3:45 p.m. that day, Song appeared at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport and said, "If the prosecution summons me even today, I will actively respond."

When asked by reporters whether he still maintained his previous stance of 'not knowing' about the money envelope allegations, he replied, "Now that I have arrived, I will try to understand the situation," adding, "There are many matters I am unaware of. As I have said that I will take full responsibility, since this happened because of me, I will take the lead in responsibly addressing it."

Since December last year, Song had been staying in France as a visiting research professor at the Paris Grande ?cole (ESCP Business School). Although he was originally scheduled to return in July, he brought his return forward by about two months due to the controversy surrounding the money envelope allegations at the party convention.

Regarding remarks suggesting that his departure was an escape, Song said, "I, Song Young-gil, never avoid or run away from any situation," and added, "Some people misunderstand that I fled to Paris, but as I explained at the Paris press conference, there was no problem when I left the country. However, since some misunderstand it as an escape, I am informing you that I have returned today."