'Yoon Mi-hyang Appears at Prosecutors' Office over Allegations of Embezzlement and Accounting Fraud in Jeonguiyeon Donations... Three Months Since Investigation Began (Comprehensive)'

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Yoon Mi-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who is suspected of embezzlement and accounting fraud related to the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae), appeared at the prosecution on the 13th.

According to those involved in the case, the Criminal Division 4 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Choi Ji-seok) summoned Representative Yoon at around 1:30 p.m. on the same day to investigate her as a suspect in embezzlement charges. This is three months since the prosecution began investigating the Justice and Memory Foundation.

Representative Yoon is suspected of raising donations through a personal account in 2018 and 2019, and of recently selling the Anseong Shelter, which was purchased for 750 million won in 2013, for 400 million won.

The prosecution is expected to examine the allegations related to the Justice and Memory Foundation, including poor accounting practices, suspicions of overpriced purchase of the Anseong Shelter, and fundraising through personal accounts.

Earlier in May, after civic groups repeatedly filed complaints against Representative Yoon and other Justice and Memory Foundation officials, the prosecution assigned the case and began an investigation.

Subsequently, the prosecution conducted raids on the Justice and Memory Foundation’s office and the Mapo and Anseong shelters, and summoned accounting officers of both the Justice and Memory Foundation and its predecessor, the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeongdaehyeop), for questioning multiple times. On the 28th of last month, a former Jeongdaehyeop employee was also summoned on charges of violating the Act on the Management of Subsidies.

When the allegations surfaced, Representative Yoon held a press conference on May 29, one day before her term began, stating, "I sincerely apologize for causing deep wounds and concerns to everyone who trusted and entrusted me." However, she completely denied all allegations except for fundraising through personal accounts.