[Summary] Ju Ho-young: "Why Does the Democratic Party Protect Yoon Mi-hyang... We Must Launch a Campaign to Expel Her from the National Assembly"

"Investigation Must Be Concluded Quickly to Clearly Reveal the Truth"
Yoon Mi-hyang "Apologize for Personal Account"… Fully Denies Allegations of Misusing Donations

Future United Party Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader Joo Ho-young held a press conference on the merger of the two parties with Future Korea Party Leader Won Yoo-chul at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, strongly criticized Yoon Mi-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who is under suspicion of misappropriating funds donated to the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeokdae), saying on the 30th, "If the prosecution's investigation is insufficient, a national audit should be conducted, and the public should even take the initiative to campaign for the expulsion of the lawmaker."

After attending the 'Buddha's Birthday Dharma Ceremony' held at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Joo told reporters, "I cannot understand why the Democratic Party leadership is so protective of (Yoon Mi-hyang)."

Regarding Yoon's press conference held the previous day (29th) at the National Assembly as a member-elect, he pointed out, "Yesterday, Yoon's press conference was just a sweat-inducing monologue of her own assertions," stating that the suspicions were not clarified.

He added, "The suspicions have not been clarified at all; rather, they seem to have expanded," and reiterated, "Would our people recognize someone like Yoon Mi-hyang as a member of the National Assembly?"

Regarding the prosecution investigating Yoon's suspicions, he emphasized, "The ongoing investigation should be promptly concluded to clearly reveal the truth."

Democratic Party of Korea elected member Yoon Mee-hyang is leaving the building through the underground parking lot after stating her position on the accounting allegations of the Justice Memory Solidarity at the National Assembly Communication Office on the afternoon of the 29th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

◆ "Yoon Mi-hyang has no clear explanation... She should resign and undergo investigation"

The United Future Party criticized Yoon's press conference on the 29th, saying, "She spoke at length, but there was no clear explanation," and "Amid numerous suspicions, the public saw 'Member of the National Assembly Yoon Mi-hyang.'"

Hwang Gyu-hwan, deputy spokesperson of the United Future Party, said in a statement that "Since Yoon, the member-elect, remained silent while the whole country was in turmoil, there was no expectation of sincerity in the press conference held a day before the start of her term as a lawmaker."

He pointed out, "Nevertheless, in front of the public who hoped for at least minimal conscience, Yoon lowered her head but maintained a confident attitude; she said 'sorry' but showed no remorse."

Hwang further criticized, "Yoon dismissed allegations of accounting fraud, misappropriation of donations, and embezzlement as 'malicious reports.' Regarding sensitive matters such as fundraising, she evaded by saying 'under prosecution investigation,' a hollow excuse," and "She refused calls for resignation despite saying she would take corresponding responsibility."

He added, "Ultimately, the press conference only conveyed the thought of 'I just need to endure today,'" emphasizing, "Yoon may think this is the end, but this is just the beginning."

He continued, "From tomorrow, the public will have no choice but to see 'Member of the National Assembly Yoon Mi-hyang,' but the position of lawmaker will not protect her," and added, "If her words about not clinging to her position are sincere, resigning voluntarily and undergoing investigation would be the minimum duty to the public."

Yoon Mi-hyang, a member-elect of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been suspected of accounting fraud related to the Justice Memory Solidarity, is holding a press conference to explain the matter on the 29th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

◆ Yoon Mi-hyang: "Apologies for personal account"… Denies all other allegations

Earlier that day, Yoon held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and denied all allegations surrounding herself and the Justice and Memory Foundation, including the low-price sale of the Anseong shelter and misappropriation of donations. She reiterated her intention to maintain her position as a lawmaker, saying, "I will clarify and take responsibility until the public is convinced."

Regarding allegations related to the Anseong Healing Center, such as the 'high-price purchase controversy,' she stated, "Some media raised suspicions that Jeongdaehyeop purchased a house in Sangjung-ri, Geumgwang-myeon, Anseong-si, for more than 400 million KRW above market price, but this is not true."

She explained, "This house was a newly built building with an actual area of 60 pyeong (approximately 198 square meters). At that time, the owner had built it using a steel house construction method costing over 6 million KRW per pyeong, and the civil engineering and construction work cost a total of 770 million KRW. It was listed for sale at 900 million KRW."

She added, "We made efforts to lower the asking price as much as possible, and the seller, upon hearing the purpose of establishing the Healing Center, agreed to adjust the final sale price to 750 million KRW, leading to the transaction."

Regarding prior knowledge of the 2015 Korea-Japan agreement, she claimed, "There are allegations that I knew about the contents of the Korea-Japan agreement in advance but did not inform the grandmothers, including Halmoni Lee Yong-soo, but this is clearly not true."

She explained, "This fact was also confirmed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement. On the 12th, the Ministry's spokesperson briefed that the report reviewing the Korea-Japan agreement on the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery victims did not specifically inform the victims and did not collect their opinions."

Regarding allegations of house purchase, she emphasized, "There is absolutely no such thing as embezzling funds from Jeongdaehyeop to purchase five houses in cash, including the LG Apartment in Geumgok, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, where I currently live, and my family members."

She said, "I understand that this refers to the three properties already sold: My name's Myeongjin Art Villa, a Korean apartment, and the LG Geumgok Apartment where I currently live," adding, "In 1993, my husband and I combined our money and started our newlywed life with a jeonse (long-term deposit) of 15 million KRW."

She continued, "From 1994 to 1997, I lived rent-free at the church parsonage where my parents lived and saved money. During that time, in 1995, I acquired Myeongjin Art Villa for 45 million KRW. In 1999, with savings from my husband and me and help from my family, I bought a Korean apartment for 79 million KRW."

Regarding allegations of misappropriating donations by collecting funds in personal accounts for personal gain, she partially admitted fault, saying, "It was a wrong judgment and a naive thought," but added, "I did not use the money in the accounts personally."

She said, "While working with Jeongdaehyeop, I conducted nine fundraising activities through four personal accounts. When it was not for all the grandmothers, I collected donations into my personal account as the representative, but now I realize it was a wrong judgment."

She explained, "In the case of fundraising for the late Halmoni Kim Bok-dong's funeral, since the Citizens' Funeral Committee, which has no legal status, was in charge of the funeral, it was inappropriate to use Jeongdaehyeop's account, and it was customary to use personal accounts. Temporary donations or funeral fundraising often used the representative's personal account, and I did not have a strong sense of problem with this."