[Summary] Yoon Mi-hyang's 'No Mask' Wine Gathering Controversy... Opposition Party Slams "Burning the People's Hearts"

Opposition: "Exercise Restraint and Self-Reflection," "The Bizarre Nature of the Vampire Left Sucking Grandmothers' Blood"
Yoon Mi-hyang Clarifies, "Met to Celebrate Grandmother Gil Won-ok's 94th Birthday"

Yoon Mi-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending and seated for the vote on ending the unlimited debate (filibuster) on the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Yoon Mi-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, recently held a 'wine gathering' with acquaintances, which drew sharp criticism from the People Power Party on the 13th. In response to the controversy, Rep. Yoon apologized, saying, "I deeply reflect on this and will take the lead in overcoming COVID-19 going forward."

On the same day, Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, sarcastically remarked, "Do we have to hear such news and make the public furious?" She added, "As the former head of Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeon), once called the financial backer of the activist group, it seems the party is not over yet for Rep. Yoon."

Bae Hyun-jin, the party's floor spokesperson, criticized Yoon for mentioning Grandma Gil Won-ok, stating, "Rep. Yoon is on trial for quasi-fraud charges involving embezzlement of donations meant for comfort women victims, and the victim in question is Grandma Gil." He claimed, "It appears that mocking the grandmother stems from the frustration of being on trial."

He continued, "If Rep. Yoon still has any shred of humanity left, the right thing to do would be to return the grandmother’s donations as soon as possible," emphasizing, "Please refrain and reflect so that the public no longer associates your name with such chilling controversies."

Rep. Heo Eun-ah from the same party also joined the chorus of criticism. On her Facebook post, she wrote, "At a time when the whole country has come to a halt due to COVID-19, I am appalled to see Yoon Mi-hyang, a member of the National Assembly, elegantly drinking wine while mentioning the birthday of a comfort woman grandmother." She added, "I even feel fear at the grotesqueness of the bloodsucking leftists who feed off taxpayers’ money and the blood of comfort women grandmothers."

There were also claims that the age of Grandma Gil mentioned by Rep. Yoon did not match her actual age. Professor Kim Geun-sik, head of the Songpa-byeong district party committee of the People Power Party, pointed out that Grandma Gil, born in 1928, is 92 years old, saying, "A wine party celebrating Grandma Gil’s birthday? It’s a blatant lie to anyone."

He said, "Not only is the age of Grandma Gil wrong, but is there any case in the world where people gather to celebrate a birthday without the birthday person present?" He raised his voice, "Just admit that you gathered among yourselves to drink wine. The no-mask issue sparked the controversy, but lying that it was a birthday party for Grandma Gil to avoid criticism is truly despicable."

Yoon Mi-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (third from the right), recently shared this post on her Instagram. Photo by Yoon's Instagram capture.

Earlier, Rep. Yoon posted a photo on her Instagram showing herself dining with five acquaintances. In the photo, all attendees were holding wine glasses and toasting without wearing masks.

In the post, Rep. Yoon wrote, "Celebrating Grandma Gil’s birthday, engraving her absence in our hearts, meeting among ourselves to celebrate and wish for health. Sharing dreams and stories over a meal." 'Grandma Gil' appears to refer to Gil Won-ok, a comfort women victim. Grandma Gil was the last resident at the comfort women shelter, Peace House in Mapo-gu, Seoul, before leaving in June.

Some criticized Rep. Yoon for holding a wine gathering with acquaintances amid the rapidly spreading COVID-19 situation, deeming it inappropriate. Following the controversy, Rep. Yoon deleted the photo.

Despite deleting the post, criticism continued, prompting Rep. Yoon to apologize on her Facebook on the 13th, saying, "I sincerely apologize for my thoughtlessness during the serious crisis of COVID-19."

She explained, "December 7th, Monday, was Grandma Gil Won-ok’s 94th birthday. However, I have been unable to contact her and could not deliver my congratulations. Sharing sadness and longing during a meal with acquaintances turned out to be an inconsiderate act."