Court grants bail to former DP head embroiled in cash-for-votes scandal

Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil delivers a campaign speech ahead of the April 10 general election while incarcerated at Seoul Detention Center in Gyeonggi. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A court on Thursday granted bail to Song Young-gil, the former head of the liberal Democratic Party (DP) accused of handing out cash for votes ahead of his party's 2021 convention.

The Seoul Central District Court accepted Song's request for bail and ordered him to pay 30 million won ($21,700).

Song is mandated to attend his trials and seek approval from the court if he plans to leave the country or travel for three or more days.

The former DP leader was freed after being imprisoned for 163 days since his arrest in December. Song is accused of distributing cash-filled envelopes totaling 66.5 million won to around 20 DP lawmakers to secure his election as DP leader ahead of the party's convention in May 2021.

Additionally, Song is accused of receiving 763 million won in illegal political funds from seven entrepreneurs through his nonprofit sponsorship organization between 2020 and 2021.

This sum includes 40 million won Song allegedly received from Park Yong-ha, the former head of the Yeosu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in return for a business favor. Song has denied the charges.

The court also prohibited Song from meeting and contacting individuals involved in his case and asked him to notify the court if any of them reached out.

The court refused his initial request for bail on March 29 due to concerns about potential evidence tampering. Song was expected to be released in early July.

Song is a five-term lawmaker and a former Incheon mayor.

While in prison, he launched a new party called the Sonamoo Party, or "Pine Tree Party," and ran for a parliamentary seat representing Gwangju Seo-B district.

He delivered his campaign speech before the April 10 general election while incarcerated at the Seoul Detention Center in Gyeonggi but ultimately lost his race.

DP members accuse Song of manipulating the primaries to favor Lee Jae-myung over his rival, Lee Nak-yon, as the DP's presidential candidate for the 2022 election.

Song is accused of giving up his constituency in Gyeyang, Incheon, which he had secured in five elections, to allow Lee Jae-myung to inherit it after the latter lost the 2022 presidential election.

Lee won the by-election, obtaining his first National Assembly badge in 2022.

Song's trial will be held on Monday.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]