Justice Network Wednesday Rally "Reflecting on Immaturity"
Conservative Groups Hold Counter-Rally "Yoon Mi-hyang Resign and Be Arrested"
On the 3rd, in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a Wednesday demonstration demanding the resolution of the Japanese military comfort women issue and a rally calling for the resignation of Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang are taking place simultaneously. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Heo Mi-dam] "Yoon Mi-hyang must resign! Arrest her!", "We will not be shaken."
On the 3rd, the 1442nd regular Wednesday demonstration was held in front of the Statue of Peace near the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, while conservative groups held a 'counter rally' near the statue.
Some members of conservative groups stationed near the Statue of Peace raised voices such as "Yoon Mi-hyang must apologize immediately!" and "Resign from your parliamentary seat," turning the Wednesday demonstration into an off-site verbal battle over suspicions surrounding Representative Yoon.
The police surrounded the locations of the regular Wednesday demonstration and the conservative groups' rallies to prevent any possible physical clashes.
On the 3rd, Inayeong, Chairperson of the Justice and Memory Foundation, is speaking at the regular Wednesday demonstration for the resolution of the Japanese military comfort women issue held in front of the Embassy of Japan in Seoul's Jongno-gu./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
On that day, the Justice and Memory Foundation apologized for its response to the suspicions against Representative Yoon and promised thorough accounting management. Lee Na-young, director of the Justice and Memory Foundation, said, "The past week was a time to simultaneously reflect on our explanations and historical responsibilities," adding, "I believe the initial inadequate response and the resulting worries and concerns caused to the public stemmed from my personal shortcomings and thoughtless attitude, for which I deeply reflect."
She continued, "We want to remember the original spirit of the Wednesday demonstrations," and appealed, "We are calmly reviewing what needs to be done to secure the transparency and professionalism expected by the public, so please wait a little longer."
Director Lee also rebutted some critical opinions regarding grandmother Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military sexual slavery. She pointed out, "The indiscriminate approach and criticism toward human rights activist Lee Yong-soo and other victims is tragic."
She reiterated, "(These criticisms) damage the value of the Justice and Memory Movement and destroy the tower built for the restoration of victims' human rights and honor."
In response, supporters of the Justice and Memory Foundation held placards with messages such as "The Japanese government should be ashamed," "Stop defiling the dignity of the grandmothers," and "Kneel, apologize, and compensate," while applauding.
On the 3rd, a rally demanding the resignation of Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang is being held next to the Wednesday Demonstration site in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
On the other hand, at the conservative groups' rally held near the Justice and Memory Foundation's gathering place, strong criticisms such as "Arrest Yoon Mi-hyang" were voiced. A citizen who took the floor urged through a megaphone, "Yoon Mi-hyang should immediately resign from the National Assembly and undergo an arrest investigation."
One participant in the free speech session claimed, "None of the comfort women donation funds were used for the elders. This is already evident in the accounting records. Yoon Mi-hyang is the person who made excuses saying there was no money even when Elder Lee Yong-soo asked for something delicious because she was hungry."
Another citizen raised their voice, saying, "(Yoon Mi-hyang entering the National Assembly now) is destroying the legal order of the Republic of Korea and nullifying the country's laws," adding, "It is a matter of public lament that these people are now making laws in the National Assembly. However, we will never back down."
At the conservative groups' rally that day, criticism was also directed at former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop for being disciplined due to his abstention vote on the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).
One citizen appealed, "It is said that the Democratic Party imposed a gag order on Cho Kuk and Yoon Mi-hyang. They say not to mention Yoon Mi-hyang or Cho Kuk within the party. Don't you think such a party should be disbanded immediately?"
On the 3rd, next to the Wednesday Demonstration site in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a rally demanding the resignation of Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang is being held. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
As conservative group members continued their criticism of Representative Yoon, rally attendees held placards reading "The answer is to dismantle the Justice and Memory Foundation for inaccurate accounting" and "Stop the comfort women extortion," continuing their supportive remarks.
A person identified as A (75), who said they belong to the Korean War generation, raised their voice, "Yoon Mi-hyang must immediately apologize to the public and resign from her parliamentary seat." He claimed, "Grandmother Lee Yong-soo is very unfortunate," and "She was only used by the Justice and Memory Foundation."
Meanwhile, Representative Yoon, embroiled in allegations of misusing donations to the Justice and Memory Foundation, has been attending the National Assembly normally for the third consecutive day on the 3rd, focusing only on internal schedules.
According to a staff member of Representative Yoon's office, she is known to be concentrating on preparations related to the first bill to be proposed in the 21st National Assembly.
Currently, Representative Yoon is minimizing direct contact with the outside and explaining the allegations against her through social media such as Facebook.
On the previous day (the 2nd), she posted on her Facebook titled "Story of National Assembly Building Room 530," introducing supportive messages sent by Democratic Party members.
The support messages she disclosed included phrases such as "You have to look closely to see the beauty. You have to look long to see the loveliness. You are like that too," "Please don't forget that there are many more citizens supporting you," and "Show us your confident legislative activities. We will always support you."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
