Social Welfare Community Chest and Hyundai Heavy Industries Reiterate Rebuttal to Yoon Mi-hyang's Claims

Yoon Mee-hyang "Fundraising Association Said 'Gyeonggi Area Is Also Okay' When Purchasing Shelter"
Fundraising Association "Only Reviewed and Deliberated... Cannot Propose Fundraising During Process"

Former Director Yoon Mi-hyang of the Justice and Memory Foundation (Proportional Representative Elect of the Democratic Party) [Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Yoon Mee-hyang, the elected member of the Democratic Party of Korea and former chairperson of the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeokdae), is actively clarifying allegations surrounding her, but the controversy is not subsiding easily. The situation appears to be turning into a battle over the truth, with the Community Chest of Korea and Hyundai Heavy Industries, mentioned in Yoon’s explanation regarding the 'Anseong Shelter,' issuing rebuttals.

Regarding the reason for establishing the shelter in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, Yoon stated in a phone interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 18th, "With 1 billion KRW, it was impossible to buy a house anywhere in Mapo, Seoul," adding, "The Community Chest of Korea gave the opinion that 'Gyeonggi region is also acceptable,' so we eventually came to Anseong. When we purchased the shelter, both the Community Chest and Hyundai Heavy Industries were pleased."

However, the Community Chest denies having made such a proposal. The organization stated, "We only reviewed and deliberated based on the submitted materials, respecting the donor’s wishes and the expertise of the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (the predecessor of Jeonguiyeokdae)," adding, "Due to the procedural nature of the project, the Community Chest cannot make proposals first." They further explained, "Jeongdaehyeop (Korean Council) first looked into the Anseong site and then proposed to the Community Chest, asking if it was acceptable to build a shelter there." Ultimately, additional clarification seems necessary regarding who first suggested the location change and to what extent the donor was involved in this decision.

Hyundai Heavy Industries also rebutted Yoon’s explanation that "Hyundai Heavy Industries miscalculated the budget" and that the project was "carried out in consultation with Hyundai Heavy Industries," stating, "We have never had direct contact with Yoon during the shelter project," and "We were only informed of the consultation results between Yoon and the Community Chest."

Yoon’s explanation that it was impossible to purchase a house in Mapo, Seoul, with 1 billion KRW is also difficult to accept. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s real transaction price inquiry system, in 2013, 20 out of 26 transactions (77%) for multi-family and detached houses in Seongsan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, were below 1 billion KRW.

Yoon is also under suspicion regarding apartment auction transactions. The explanation about the source of auction funds changed within half a day. Notably, on the morning of the 18th, she explained on the radio that "she bought it by selling her own house," but in the afternoon, she changed her statement, saying, "It was in 2012, so I don’t remember exactly when the apartment auction happened or when it was sold."

Conservative figures, including Rep. Gwak Sang-do of the United Future Party, have raised doubts about the timing of the apartment sale. Rep. Gwak stated on Facebook, "The apartment Yoon previously lived in was sold on January 7, 2013." Since the sale of the previous apartment occurred after the auction purchase, Yoon’s earlier explanations are seen as inconsistent. Rep. Gwak argues that Yoon must disclose the source of funds, suggesting she had sufficient cash.