Senior Members of the Democratic Party Urge Song Young-gil to Return, “Stop Democracy from Retreating Any Further”

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung speaks at a meeting of the party’s Supreme Council at the National Assembly on April 19. Bak Min-gyu, Senior Reporter

On April 19, Ko Min-jung and Song Gap-seok, members of the Democratic Party of Korea’s Supreme Council, urged former party leader Song Young-gil, the key figure in the allegation of cash envelopes linked to the party convention in 2021, to hurry and return and take responsibility for the situation. Senior members of the Democratic Party openly pressed Song once again after the party leader Lee Jae-myung formally apologized and requested Song to make an early return on April 17.

In a meeting of the Supreme Council at the National Assembly Wednesday, Ko said, “The cash envelope case that recently emerged has rendered all our battles powerless and has rid us of our justification that we are defending democracy.” She asked, “If he did not give or receive money, then why were such words in the transcript?”

Ko continued and said, “What in the world happened in Song Young-gil’s campaign? I cannot understand why such words, which I want to believe were lies, were recorded.” She then said if Song had nothing to hide, then there was no reason to avoid the situation or to delay resolving the matter. She said, “If it is a false accusation, then he should actively explain his position. If he made even the smallest mistake, then he should kneel before the people and apologize.”

Ko went on to mention first time legislator Oh Yeong-hwan, who announced he would not run in next year’s parliamentary elections, and said, “I believe Song knows better than anyone else what decision would be respected in front of such younger lawmakers,” and added, “Do not force democracy to retreat any further.”

Song Gap-seok also mentioned how the Democratic Party had worked to block the power of money with innovations, such as the introduction of the online voting system and the increase in the proportion of party member votes in the past ten or more years. He said, “I was confident that at least under the name of the Democratic Party of Korea such things would never occur.” However, he described that the party’s innovations were about to end up in smoke because of the latest recording.

The Supreme Council member said, “Song Young-gil only announced that he would meet with the press in France this weekend and did not give an answer on whether he was to return to Korea,” and criticized, “Watching the irresponsible attitude of Song, the people and our party members could not hide our surprise and disappointment.”

Song Gap-seok also said, “The party is facing a fatal crisis due to something that occurred in the process of his party leader bid,” and added, “He must not abandon his obligation and responsibility to resolve the issue. I earnestly ask Song to return quickly.” He then said, “As a former leader and as a senior advisor, the place Song should be in is not Paris, France, but in front of the people of the Republic of Korea.”