"'Isn't it that through the 'Comfort Women Victims Act Amendment,' the Justice and Remembrance Foundation legally secured funds?' Question Raised"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 28th, Gwak Sang-do, a member of the Future United Party, announced that he has filed a complaint with the prosecution against 12 individuals who spread fake news claiming that he "stood next to Grandmother Lee Yongsu during the Daegu press conference."
In a press release on the same day, Representative Gwak stated, "Regarding the Daegu press conference held by comfort women victim Grandmother Lee on the 25th, fake news such as 'I stood next to (the grandmother)' and 'I planned (the grandmother's press conference)' was spread through some media outlets and social network services (SNS)."
He said, "At around 14:38 on the same day when Grandmother Lee's press conference began, I was in an interview with TBC at my office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Seoul, and from around 15:30, I presided over the 'Future United Party Comfort Women Victims Fact-Finding TF' meeting held on the second floor of the National Assembly Main Building," adding, "I have never planned or attended Grandmother Lee's press conference."
Representative Gwak said, "I have no acquaintance with Grandmother Lee or those around her, nor have I had any form of contact such as phone calls," and added, "Although it is easy to verify the facts, 12 people irresponsibly spread fake news, and I have no choice but to file a defamation lawsuit with the prosecution today."
He explained that he had to abstain from voting on the 'Comfort Women Victims Act Amendment' due to the opaque management of government subsidies by Jeongdaehyeop (Justice and Peace Foundation). Representative Gwak said, "I agree with the purpose of the amendment, but there were already rumors internally that the government subsidies and donations received by Jeongdaehyeop (Justice and Peace Foundation) at the time were not managed transparently," adding, "There were several problems, including conflicts between the victims and Jeongdaehyeop due to pursuing various projects against the victims' wishes, so I had no choice but to abstain to ensure there were safeguards to guarantee the amendment's intent."
He said, "As time passes, the issues raised at the time are gradually being proven true, and a prosecution investigation has begun," adding, "I wonder if the amendment passed at the time allowed Jeongdaehyeop (Justice and Peace Foundation) to more legally pocket funds."
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