Yoon Mi-hyang "I am a coward... I will accept without resisting," expresses her feelings

Yoon Mi-hyang, Democratic Party of Korea member/Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] Yoon Mee-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea accused of misappropriating donations for Japanese military comfort women victims, expressed her feelings on the 7th, saying, "Two months have passed since that day. No matter what happens from now on, I will do my best in everything."

In a post on her Facebook that day, Yoon said, "I am not trying to endure but rather approaching everything with a mindset of accepting all. This too must have a meaning."

Yoon opened up, saying, "Honestly, I am quite a coward. When I enter unfamiliar situations or experience something for the first time, my heart pounds," adding, "Although it was a strange place I entered suddenly after organizing over 30 years of my life and making a sudden decision, just as I have overcome unfamiliar and fearful situations through solidarity between people over the past 30 years, I comforted and encouraged myself that I could do the same and was able to start life in Yeouido."

She continued, "I always direct my gaze downward, do not get used to everyday life, and think that if I live without forgetting the promises made on the streets, it will be fine. I kept telling myself, 'It’s okay, it’s okay, I can do it.' I revealed, 'I am really a coward like this.'"

She said, "I had a clear goal of what I wanted to do as a member of the 21st National Assembly," adding, "Ultimately, I wanted to play my role so that the government and the National Assembly could now step up to resolve the issue of the Japanese military sexual slavery system, which has not been resolved, through policy and legislation, reflecting the efforts of victims and civil society."

She emphasized, "For that work, I wanted to burn myself out. Of course, I still dream. This dream is something I cannot let go of in my life."

Yoon said, "I am now assigned to the Environment and Labor Committee, where I have precious time to listen to the voices of people on the streets whom I once visited hand in hand with Grandma Kim Bok-dong," adding, "I believe nothing is disconnected. I think this is the process and the field toward a world where 'no victim like me will be born.'"

She added, "Of course, there is a high wall I must overcome ahead. I am not trying to endure but rather approaching everything with a mindset of accepting all," and expressed her hope, saying, "I am truly a small person. I have come this far with the strength of those who will form a warm forest with me. I want to continue like this."