Seoul: Song Young-gil, a former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), has filed an appeal following his recent 2-year prison sentence for receiving illegal political funds from businesspeople.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Song last week after his indictment a year ago for accepting 763 million won (US$524,000) in illegal political funds from seven individuals. These funds were allegedly disguised as donations to his support group, the Research Institute for Peace and Livelihood, during 2020 and 2021.
In addition to these charges, Song faced indictment in January last year for his alleged role in distributing 66 million won in cash to 20 sitting DP lawmakers and other party members. This was reportedly in the lead-up to the party's leadership election in May 2021, which Song won. However, the court acquitted him of the cash-for-votes scandal charges, citing a lack of evidential value in cell phone recording files from a former DP official, which had initiated the prosecution's investigation.
Following his sentence, the court ordered Song's immediate detention. He had been arrested in January last year but was released on bail four months later. Currently, Song serves as the leader of the Pine Tree Party, a minor political entity.