[Q&A] Grandmother I Yong-su: "Yoon Mi-hyang Should Be Punished If She Committed a Crime"

Grandmother Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military sexual slavery, is holding up a document as she begins a press conference on the afternoon of the 25th at the Inter-Burgo Hotel in Manchon-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy (Daegu) = Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Lee Yong-soo (92), a victim of Japanese military sexual slavery, stated on the 25th during her second press conference regarding the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae) and Yoon Mee-hyang, the elected representative (former director of Jeonguiyeondae), that "If (Representative Yoon) has committed a crime, she must be punished."

On the afternoon of the 25th, Lee held a press conference at Hotel Inter-Burgo Daegu in Suseong-gu, Daegu, saying, "(Regarding the suspicions about former director Yoon) so many things have come out that I never even imagined," but added, "(Investigations, etc.) I believe it is the prosecution's job." Arriving 40 minutes later than the scheduled time, Lee entered the press conference venue in a wheelchair. At the foot of the stage stairs, she was assisted by two members of the 'Citizens' Group with the Grandmothers of the Comfort Women' who helped organize the press conference, stood up from the wheelchair, and sat down. It is known that Lee's health has deteriorated recently following the issues raised about Jeonguiyeondae.

In her first press conference on the 7th, Lee raised concerns about the management of donations related to Jeonguiyeondae and former director Yoon. Subsequently, allegations surfaced regarding the high-price purchase during the establishment of the 'House Where Peace and Healing Meet (Anseong Shelter)' and omissions or errors in various donation and accounting disclosures, leading to continued criticism of Jeonguiyeondae and former director Yoon. Jeonguiyeondae and former director Yoon responded to Lee's allegations by stating, "We realized that the grandmother's memories have changed," and "Accounting fraud at Jeonguiyeondae is impossible," among other rebuttals.

- Do you have anything to say to Representative Yoon Mee-hyang?

▲ Yoon Mee-hyang seems to think confidently about (the allegations, etc.). If she has committed a crime, she must be punished.

- Do you hope that Representative Yoon Mee-hyang will resign from the National Assembly?

▲ That is not for me to say. She acted as she pleased, so whether she resigns or not, I will not comment.

- There was a report that during the 2015 Korea-Japan comfort women agreement, former director Yoon urged the grandmothers not to accept money from the Japanese government. What do you think about this?

= It was kept secret from me whether money came from the Japanese government in 2015 or not. I don't know the details, but I never told anyone to accept or not accept money. If I don't accept it, that is enough. I was completely opposed to receiving compensation money from the Japanese government.

- You said that the money raised by Jeonguiyeondae was not used for the victim grandmothers. Are there specific cases? Were there times when economic assistance requests were refused?

= I don't know anything about fundraising. I have no knowledge at all.

- The issues related to Jeonguiyeondae are not new, so why are they being raised only now? Was there a reason you had to speak out now?

= Only the grandmothers of Jeongdaehyeop and Nanum House are victims. I could not tell them to stop the movement first. But (Representative Yoon) betrayed us overnight after 30 years. I was very upset to be betrayed. Is she abandoning 30 years and pursuing selfish interests?