Former leader of South Korea's largest opposition party, Song Young Gil, arrested over suspicion of cash envelopes

On the 18th, Song Young-gil, former representative of South Korea's largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea (DP), received a warrant of arrest from the Seoul Central District Court in connection with allegations of distributing envelopes containing cash at the party's all-party convention election campaign. Mr. Song
has denied charges of violating the Political Funds Act and bribery, but the court ruled that there was a risk of destruction of evidence. Judge Yoo Chang-hoon, who was in charge of the examination, said, ``The suspect was involved in a huge amount of fraud.''
It was determined that this was a serious case in which it was revealed that the suspect had received legal and political funds and was partially involved in the exchange of money and goods related to the party representative election. row of
Considering the circumstances surrounding the incident, there are concerns that evidence may be destroyed,'' he said, issuing the arrest warrant. Mr. Song is facing three major charges. The charges include violations of political party laws, political finance laws, and bribery.
According to prosecutors, Mr. Song was involved in handing over 66.5 million won (approximately 7.28 million yen), including 20 envelopes of cash, to members of the Democratic Party of Japan's National Assembly before the all-party convention two years ago.
(violation of the Political Parties Act). It is also said that 763 million won (approximately 83.5 million yen) of the sponsorship money from Mr. Song's affiliated support organization was used for personal political funds (a violation of the Political Funds Act). moreover
A portion of this sponsorship money was received along with a complaint from Park Yong Ha, former president of the Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and could be considered a bribe (accepting a bribe).
Mr. Song has consistently denied the charges. On the morning of the same day, on his way to the substantive examination of the warrant, Mr. Song asked, ``Did you really not know about handing over the cash envelope?''
When asked why he changed his cell phone when he returned to the country, he said, ``The specific facts will be revealed in court.''
Meanwhile, in connection with this incident, the person who allegedly handed over the envelope containing cash
Independent lawmaker Ng Kwan-seok is already in custody, and on the 18th, prosecutors asked the court to sentence him to five years in prison. At the all-party conference, Rep. Yun spoke about the members of the National Assembly who support Mr. Song.
He was the chairman of the meeting.