13th Wednesday Demonstration Held Amid Controversies Including Allegations of Comfort Women Donation Misuse
Counter-Rallies by Some Conservative Groups Near Protest Site
On the 13th, some conservative groups such as the Banil Dong Sang Truth Investigation Committee and the Comfort Women Restoration Practice Solidarity held a press conference in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Lim Ju-hyung, Intern Reporter skepped@asiae.co.kr
[Asia Economy reporters Seung-gon Han and intern Juhyung Lim] "I came out because I am disgusted with conservative groups." "Where did all the donations go!"
On the 13th, at the 1439th regular online Wednesday demonstration for the resolution of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue held in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a woman in her 60s, Ms. A, expressed her frustration, saying, "We have been speaking about the comfort women issue for nearly 30 years, but they try to hurt our sincerity with fabricated evidence."
She said, "I have been watching the 'Justice Memory Solidarity' (Jeonguiyeondae) since it first started its activities," and emphasized, "If this organization had not consistently raised issues for nearly 30 years, the comfort women issue could not have become publicized to this extent."
That day's Wednesday demonstration proceeded without the participation of comfort women victims such as 92-year-old grandmother Lee Yong-soo, who exposed allegations of misuse of Jeonguiyeondae's donation funds, and only some officials including Lee Nayoung, chairperson of Jeonguiyeondae, and Han Kyung-hee, secretary general, along with citizens participated.
Conservative groups criticizing the allegations surrounding Jeonguiyeondae held a press conference nearby, demanding the suspension of the rally and held counter-demonstrations. The reactions of citizens participating in the rally that day were sharply divided.
Lee Nayoung, chairperson of Jeonguiyeondae and professor of sociology at Chung-Ang University, stated, "There is absolutely no personal embezzlement or illegal use of funds at Jeonguiyeondae," and emphasized, "To prove our transparency once again and to directly respond to malicious distorted reports, we will have multiple certified public accountants verify the use of donation funds."
She added, "Through re-disclosure, we aim to put an end to unnecessary suspicions related to Jeonguiyeondae's use of donations," and stressed, "We clearly state once again that there has been no illegal use or embezzlement of donation funds by Jeonguiyeondae."
Before the Wednesday rally held on the morning of the 13th, the 'Statue of Peace' located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Intern Reporter Juhyung Lim skepped@asiae.co.kr
Citizens attending the Wednesday rally agreed with Jeonguiyeondae's claims and criticized the conservative groups' counter-demonstration held that day as pathetic.
B (52), who attended the rally, said, "I heard that the conservative groups called 100 people today to hold a counter-demonstration. I couldn't bear to see that, so I came out."
He added, "Conservative groups and the media try to tarnish us in any way, but the truth will eventually come out. Until then, I thought it was important to show a united front of supporters so we can endure well."
On the other hand, some citizens expressed skepticism about Jeonguiyeondae's claims and past activities, saying they could not fully trust all of Jeonguiyeondae's assertions.
C, a man in his 50s who happened to pass by the protest site on foot, said, "I don't particularly have a stance for or against the protest. I just happened to pass by," but added, "After seeing continuous media reports, I have come to doubt the activities of civic groups like Jeonguiyeondae. I don't know if it's right to hold a rally that the comfort women grandmothers themselves have said not to hold."
D, a man in his 60s who opposes the installation of the Girl Statue, said, "The comfort women issue causes problems because it is manipulated by some political forces. The Girl Statue is one of them," and claimed, "Especially left-wing groups make unreasonable demands, risking Korea's international isolation. It will negatively affect security and the economy."
On the 13th, a rally by some conservative groups, including the Anti-Japan Statue Truth Investigation Committee and the Comfort Women Restoration Action Solidarity, was held near the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Juhyung Lim, intern reporter skepped@asiae.co.kr
Near the Girl Statue, some conservative groups such as the Anti-Japan Statue Truth Investigation Committee and the Comfort Women Restoration Action Solidarity held a 'counter-demonstration.'
They held a press conference around 10:50 a.m. that day, raising signs with phrases such as "Wednesday demonstration that drove nails into the hearts of comfort women grandmothers" and "Political Jeong Mi-hyang, disclose donation details."
Hong Jeongsik, head of the civic group Halbindan, raised his voice in a statement, saying, "We are outraged by the shameless acts of Yoon Mi-hyang and her group, who used comfort women grandmothers as 'beggars' to embezzle public funds and accumulate wealth."
Joo Ok-soon, representative of the 'Mom's Army,' argued, "If the donation issues are not clearly explained, Jeonguiyeondae should disappear."
The National Council of Leaders of Victims of Japanese Imperialism, which has an anti-Japan stance, also stated in a declaration distributed on-site that "the approximately 230,000 victims of Japanese imperialism will actively carry out a resignation campaign until Yoon voluntarily resigns as a member of the National Assembly."
The police deployed three riot police companies to prepare for any possible clashes. Although a small disturbance occurred when the conservative groups suddenly played songs criticizing the Wednesday demonstration through speakers, both sides finished reading their statements and holding press conferences without major conflicts.
Meanwhile, the rally was held amid various controversies including allegations of misuse of comfort women donation funds by Jeonguiyeondae. Earlier on the 7th, grandmother Lee claimed, "(Jeonguiyeondae) never used the donation funds for the grandmothers. I don't even know where the donations collected by students participating in the Wednesday demonstration go," sparking allegations of donation misuse.
In response, Jeonguiyeondae held a press conference on the 11th, explaining, "From 2017 to 2019, excluding designated donations, we spent 911 million won, which is 41% of the total general donation income of approximately 2.219 billion won, on victim support projects."
On the 12th, they released a statement on their official website, saying, "Some media outlets have distorted and dramatized the context, misleading the public into thinking Jeonguiyeondae has serious moral issues," and declared, "We regard this as oppression against the entire human rights movement."
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