Former DP chief again demands prosecutors question him

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Former DP chief again demands prosecutors question him

Former Democratic Party Chairman Song Young-gil, center, protests in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho District, southern Seoul on Wednesday, urging prosecutors to question him. He voluntarily showed up at the office for the second time that morning in regard to a bribery scandal but was turned away. [YONHAP]

Former Democratic Party Chairman Song Young-gil, center, protests in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho District, southern Seoul on Wednesday, urging prosecutors to question him. He voluntarily showed up at the office for the second time that morning in regard to a bribery scandal but was turned away. [YONHAP]

Former Democratic Party (DP) leader Song Young-gil made a second appearance at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on Wednesday to demand the authorities question him in regard to the “cash envelope” bribery scandal.
 
Song, however, was once again turned away as prosecutors refused to meet him.
 
Prosecutors who spoke to local media on condition of anonymity have said they were planning to formally summon the former DP leader once they finish investigating other lower-ranking DP suspects, including many lawmakers.
 
The first time Song voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho District, southern Seoul was May 2, a day before two DP lawmakers embroiled in the same scandal left the party.
 
Prosecutors believe Song’s close aides — and possibly even Song himself — distributed cash envelopes worth some 94 million won ($72,100) to party members and lawmakers ahead of the DP’s 2021 convention to help Song’s ultimately successful bid for the party chairmanship.
 
Rep. Youn Kwan-suk, who represents Namdong District B in Incheon, and Rep. Lee Sung-man, who represents Bupyeong District A in Incheon, exited the DP following allegations they distributed the cash envelopes.
 
At the time, Youn told the local press he had “much to say” about whether the accusations were true or false but said he would spare the details for another time.
 
Lee apologized to the party and the public, saying he would battle the case in court.
 
Both Youn and Lee are now independent lawmakers.
 
In late May, prosecutors asked a local court to issue arrest warrants for the duo.
 
Under the law, lawmakers hold immunity from arrest while the National Assembly is in session unless a majority of lawmakers vote in favor of the arrest during a plenary session.
 
The arrest motion is planned to be put to a vote on Monday. The DP enjoys a parliamentary majority with 167 seats.
 
If the motion passes, a court is expected to hold a hearing two to three days later to determine whether to issue the arrest warrants for Youn and Lee.
 
Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon is planning to show up at the National Assembly on Monday before the vote to personally explain to lawmakers why he thinks Lee and Youn should be detained.
 
Prosecutors say they are looking into at least 29 current and former DP lawmakers allegedly involved in the bribery scandal. Whether the lawmakers will be individually summoned before or after Song has yet to be decided, according to sources who recently spoke with the JoongAng Ilbo.

BY LEE SUNG-EUN [lee.sungeun@joongang.co.kr]
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