Regarding "Delisting requires confirmation procedure"
Yoon Mee-hyang embezzled 103.7 million won from Justice Network donations between 2011 and 2020
Independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, who was indicted on charges including embezzlement of funds from the Justice Memory Solidarity, is heading to court for her first trial on August 11. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] As calls intensify for the removal of independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, who is accused of embezzling funds meant for comfort women victims, the Democratic Party of Korea has distanced itself, stating, "She is not a member of our party, and further fact-finding is necessary."
Democratic Party spokesperson Lee So-young said on the 8th, after the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, "First of all, Representative Yoon is not affiliated with the Democratic Party, and there is no evidence that she has been actively involved in the party," clarifying the party's stance.
She added, "The reports are based on the contents of the indictment, and although Yoon is not a party member, I understand that the person involved is disputing the facts. To proceed with expulsion based on confirmed facts, a more definitive process is required."
Regarding the reinstatement of Representative Yang Yi-won-young, who left the party following the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's real estate speculation investigation, the spokesperson said, "Since she was cleared of charges, the Supreme Council decided on her reinstatement."
Yoon entered the 21st National Assembly as a candidate of the Together Citizens' Party but was expelled from the party in June after being implicated in real estate corruption allegations during the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's full-scale real estate investigation.
According to the indictment crime list submitted to Representative Jeon Ju-hye of the People Power Party by the Ministry of Justice on the 5th, Yoon used 103.7 million won in donations to the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae) 217 times between 2011 and 2020.
She reportedly used the funds at home shopping channels, supermarkets, rest areas, and also paid for yoga instructor fees, fines, and income taxes with the collected donations.
In response, Yoon claimed that the public funds were accounted for as official business or welfare expenses. Through her social media, she stated, "The prosecution's charges against me are not yet confirmed crimes," and added, "The contents of the indictment have already been explained during the trial process. I will endure and overcome this unjust situation caused by the prosecution's excessive indictment."
Despite this explanation, the People Power Party submitted a resolution to the National Assembly's legislative affairs office on the 6th, urging Yoon's expulsion. The Justice Party has also voiced calls for Yoon to resign from her position as a lawmaker.
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