"Song Young-gil's Trick Resignation"... Justice Party, Labeled as 'Democratic Party's Second Fiddle,' Targets Money Envelope Scandal

The Justice Party has launched strong criticism against the Democratic Party of Korea regarding the money envelope scandal at its party convention. As the so-called 'dual special prosecutor system' (Ssangteukgeom), a special prosecutor system for the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case involving the Daejang-dong 5 billion club and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, was fast-tracked in cooperation with the Democratic Party, criticism arose labeling the Justice Party as the "Democratic Party's second squad," prompting a sharp response.

On the morning of the 27th, Lee Eun-ju, the floor leader of the Justice Party, stated at the party's executive committee meeting, "The Democratic Party's irresponsible attitude surrounding the money envelope scandal is becoming increasingly outrageous," and criticized, "This incident shows that former leader Song Young-gil's return and resignation were a scapegoat tactic to avoid party responsibility." Referring to reports that Kim Eui-gyeom, a Democratic Party lawmaker who served as the party spokesperson, was to handle media responses for former leader Song but then canceled, she condemned it as a "cunning resignation" to separate the Democratic Party from Song Young-gil.

She continued, "The essence of the money envelope scandal is the 'banality of evil' rampant within the Democratic Party," adding, "Despite all suspicions being directed at him, former leader Song claims ignorance, and the party leadership, instead of identifying and disciplining the 40 to 50 lawmakers and regional committee heads involved in receiving money envelopes, is only busy scapegoating, showing a loss of responsibility and capacity for reflection."

Jinseongjun, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Jang Hyeyoung, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the Justice Party, submitted a request to designate the Kim Geonhee·50 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Act as a fast-track agenda item to the National Assembly Secretariat in Yeouido, Seoul on the 26th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

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On this day, as the Democratic Party and the Justice Party agreed to pass the 'dual special prosecutor fast-track' in the plenary session, it is interpreted as a statement to avoid criticism of being the "Democratic Party's second squad" raised inside and outside the party. The Justice Party earned the stigma of being the Democratic Party's second squad by supporting the fast-tracking of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act during the 2019 prosecution reform and by allying with the Democratic Party in defending the Cho Kuk incident.

Because of this, the Justice Party has maintained a reserved stance on the Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor law and kept distance from the Democratic Party. Unlike the Democratic Party, which pushed for simultaneous fast-tracking of the 5 billion club and Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor laws, the Justice Party proposed a party consensus for a 'step-by-step special prosecutor' approach, handling the 5 billion club special prosecutor law first and then discussing the Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor law.

However, recently, criticizing the prosecution's will to investigate the 5 billion club, the Justice Party shifted direction to push for the dual special prosecutor fast-track. Jang Hye-young, the Justice Party's senior deputy floor leader, submitted a request for fast-track designation the day before, stating, "We did our best in the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee regarding the 5 billion club special prosecutor, but the People Power Party showed no intention to proceed through normal procedures," and added, "We inevitably agreed to fast-track designation to unite our will on the two special prosecutors."

Within the ruling party, there are also criticisms that the Justice Party cooperated with the dual special prosecutor fast-track to appease the labor vote base ahead of next year's general election by pushing for the Yellow Envelope Act. Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "The Democratic Party's intention to put problematic special prosecutor laws on the fast-track is clear. These are bulletproof special prosecutor laws aimed at avoiding judicial justice directed at the party leader and are a shield for the 'money envelope gate,'" and added, "It is regrettable that the Justice Party has decided to become a mere accomplice in this shield. The Justice Party has decided to part ways with justice." He continued, "The collusion between the dual special prosecutor and the Yellow Envelope Act is a decalcomania of the collusion over the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act and the mixed-member proportional representation system in the last National Assembly," and said, "I hope the Justice Party reflects on the lessons from that time. The Yellow Envelope Act should not become a means to cover up the money envelopes."

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