North Korea Calls Yoon Mi-hyang Controversy "A Vile Conspiracy by Pro-Japanese Deep-Rooted Forces"

Yoon Mi-hyang "No Awareness of Issues in Personal Account Fundraising... Sorry"

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, held a press conference to explain the matter at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 29th of last month. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] North Korea has labeled various suspicions surrounding Yoon Mee-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, as "the vile conspiracy and agitation of pro-Japanese corrupt forces," claiming that "there is a sinister intention to politically bury progressive forces by branding them as corrupt." Yoon is under suspicion for accounting fraud related to the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeon).

North Korea's external propaganda outlet Uriminzokkiri stated on the 31st of last month in an article titled "A thief raising a stick" that "Recently, the conservative faction in South Korea has been persistently clinging to allegations of corruption against Jeonguiyeon, an anti-Japanese organization that has worked to resolve the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery victims, and is exploiting this to launch a critical offensive against progressive democratic reform forces."

The outlet said, "The conservative faction, including the Future United Party, which is thoroughly steeped in pro-Japanese sentiment, is treating the allegations against (Yoon) as a golden opportunity to attack anti-Japanese forces and is rampaging like a pack of hyenas that have found prey," adding, "The conservatives openly slander progressive organizations as 'anti-Japanese forces profiting by selling out Japan' while loudly calling for fact-finding, which is truly a case of a thief raising a stick."

It continued, "The issue of corruption allegations is deliberately being publicized as a product of the vile conspiracy and agitation of pro-Japanese corrupt forces aiming to incite public distrust and rejection of progressive democratic forces."

Furthermore, it added, "The tragic reality in South Korea, where pro-Japanese forces judge anti-Japanese forces and injustice mocks justice, clearly shows that people from all walks of life must be highly vigilant and continue the struggle to eradicate pro-Japanese traitorous forces to the end."

Earlier, on the 29th of last month, Yoon held a press conference at the National Assembly to explain the suspicions surrounding Jeonguiyeon and herself.

Yoon apologized, saying, "Personal accounts were often used to collect donations or funeral expenses, and I think I did not have a strong sense of problem with that. I apologize for acting with a complacent thought that as long as the amount was not an issue, it was fine."

She added, "I have been managing the funds by covering necessary project costs and transferring the remaining money to the Jeongdaehyeop (Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan) account, but upon reviewing the recent account transfer details one by one, I found some sloppy parts," and said, "Since this is one of the reported facts, I will explain in detail during the investigation process."

She also said, "For any details not clarified today, I will reveal everything without reservation until the public judges it sufficient, regardless of the occasion," but added, "Please understand in advance that I cannot disclose all the detailed information as I am about to undergo prosecution investigation."