[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] On the afternoon of the 29th, Yoon Mihyang, the elected member of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and then met with reporters to answer additional questions regarding the prosecution investigation, the donation account allegations, and Grandmother Lee Yong-soo. The following is a summary of the Q&A.
Yumi Hyang, a Democratic Party elected official, who has been suspected of accounting fraud related to the Solidarity for Memory of the Definition, is holding a clarification press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 29th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
- Did you report your personal donation account when declaring assets to the National Election Commission?
"I reported the cash and real estate I had, as well as my assets remaining after the Kim Bok-dong Funeral Committee’s project ended."
- Did you disclose the donation account to the Election Commission, and do you plan to make the donation details public?
"I submitted all the accounts I have. I believe this will be clarified during the prosecution’s investigation."
- Was there a special reason for receiving money through a personal account?
"Fundraising for projects for all the grandmothers was done under the name of Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae) or the organization. In the case of the Kim Bok-dong Funeral Committee, I was the chief mourner. Since the funeral committee was not an organization, I opened an account. Also, when taking grandmothers to Europe for Jeonguiyeondae activities, I wanted to treat them with business-class seats, but since it was not for all the grandmothers, I raised funds through a personal account to comfortably support them. However, raising funds under a personal name was clearly wrong and has been reported to the prosecution. I will clarify this."
- Tomorrow, you will gain parliamentary immunity as a member of the National Assembly. Will you comply with any future prosecution summons?
"I have no intention to evade. I will sincerely participate in all processes during and after the prosecution investigation. I do not want to avoid it by using my position as an excuse. I will cooperate faithfully with the investigation."
- Have you received a summons from the prosecution?
"Not yet. The prosecution is currently investigating Jeonguiyeondae."
- A public opinion poll shows that 70% of the people want you to resign. Has there been any internal party request for your resignation?
"There has been no request for resignation within the party. I will sincerely undergo the investigation while considering the roles I must fulfill during the prosecution’s investigation process."
- What about the issues related to the Anseong Healing Center?
"Since the program was not operating, I could not leave the house unattended as a vacant property. After considering ways to manage it minimally, I asked my father for help, paid him a minimal salary, and had him work. Nonetheless, hiring my father as an employee was a mistake."
- Why did you prevent Grandmother Lee Yong-soo from running for proportional representation?
"I do not clearly remember the exact situation, but at that time, Grandmother called me from in front of the Japanese Embassy, and articles say I discouraged her based on the tone of that call. I do not recall the specific circumstances. Perhaps I did not accept her sincere desire to become a member of the National Assembly and treated it lightly or as unimportant."
- Did you ever advise the grandmothers not to accept the 1 billion yen compensation from the Japanese government in 2015?
"No. At that time, activists called the grandmothers to explain the entire situation, and I told them it was their freedom to accept 100 million won. From then on, even if the grandmothers accepted 100 million won, no one should blame or oppose them at the Wednesday demonstrations. Ultimately, it was the Korean government that unilaterally announced the agreement despite opposition from the public and victims, and the Japanese government’s responsibility to evade it. I have repeatedly said in front of the Japanese Embassy that from now on, people should protect the grandmothers."
- Regarding Grandmother Lee Yong-soo’s criticism that Jeonguiyeondae’s activism methods need to change
"I resigned from Jeonguiyeondae on the 20th. Jeonguiyeondae’s communication methods will continue to actively discuss and debate, and we will reflect on the suggestions made by the grandmothers."
- Do you have any message for Grandmother Lee Yong-soo?
"Grandmother Lee Yong-soo sees me as a betrayer. I was unable to earn her trust to the extent that she feels betrayed, and I want to apologize for that even now. I have tried several times to apologize to her, but I realized it was just an excuse. I will continue to sincerely try to convey my feelings to her."
- What do you say about the public criticism toward the grandmothers?
"I hope the criticism toward the grandmothers stops. Korean society has become conservative and rigid, and when victims are oppressed and forced into silence, speaking out as a victim is a courageous act that should be recognized by history. I want to say that no one in Korean civil society has the right to throw stones at those women."
- Why did you hold a press conference one day before your term starts?
"Looking back on 30 years was very slow. Reflecting on my past through the voices of the grandmothers was a time of repentance. Today, I gathered courage with a desperate feeling that I must let the people hear my voice."
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