Heo Jong-sik, Youn Kwan-suk, and Jong Sung Lim Acquitted in Democratic Party Cash Envelope Case on Appeal, Overturning First Trial Verdict

[Financial News] Former and current lawmakers of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who were found guilty in the first trial for their alleged involvement in the so-called 'cash envelope scandal' during the 2021 party convention, were acquitted on appeal.
This outcome follows the reaffirmation that the recorded phone call file from former DPK Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jung-geun, which initiated the investigation, constituted illegally collected evidence.
On the 18th, the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 2, presided over by Judge Kim Jong-ho, overturned the lower court’s ruling and acquitted Heo Jong-sik, DPK lawmaker, and former lawmakers Youn Kwan-suk and Jong Sung Lim, who had been indicted for violating the Political Parties Act.
The court excluded the audio recording from former Deputy Secretary-General Lee, which had been the key evidence in the investigation, on the grounds that it was collected illegally. All secondary evidence obtained based on this recording was also excluded from the guilty verdict. The court stated that the remaining evidence—such as the National Assembly members’ schedules, meeting photos, and aides’ statements—was insufficient to support the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Consistent with previous rulings in related DPK cash envelope cases, the appellate court determined that the phone recording was not voluntarily submitted by Lee Jung-geun. The court found it unlawful that the recording, originally obtained for a separate investigation into Lee's alleged personal misconduct, was used for the cash envelope case without a separate warrant and only through a consent form.
Heo Jong-sik, Jong Sung Lim, and others were indicted for allegedly receiving an envelope containing 3 million won each from Youn Kwan-suk at a meeting of lawmakers supporting former DPK leader Song Young-gil (now leader of the Pine Tree Party) in the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly’s small conference room in April 2021. The lower court had sentenced them to suspended prison terms in August and September last year, but the appellate court reversed the decision.
Sungman Lee, another former lawmaker who was tried for receiving a cash envelope, was also acquitted in September for the same reasons. Song Young-gil, now leader of the Pine Tree Party, was likewise acquitted of the cash envelope charges in the first trial this January.
scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter