Court to Deliver Verdict on the 7th of Next Month
Independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, who has been indicted on charges including embezzlement of funds from the Justice Memory Solidarity, is heading to the courtroom to attend a continuation trial held on the morning of the 6th at the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] The prosecution has requested a 5-year prison sentence for Yoon Mee-hyang, an independent lawmaker (former director of Justice Memory Solidarity), who was indicted on charges of embezzling donations to Justice Memory Solidarity (Jeonguiyeondae).
At the final hearing of the case held at the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Moon Byung-chan), the prosecution asked the court to sentence Yoon, who was charged with eight counts including violation of the Subsidy Management Act. The prosecution also requested a 3-year prison sentence for Kim, the executive director of Justice Memory Solidarity, who was indicted as an accomplice on some charges. The prosecution stated, "The defendants did not distinguish between public and private matters, collecting donations into personal accounts and embezzling them, prioritizing the organization and their own activities over the grandmothers. Throughout this process, the defendants have denied all charges and have shown no remorse or apology," explaining the reasons for the sentence request.
In her final statement, Yoon tearfully said, "Through the two years of trial, I have painfully realized that there were administrative and accounting shortcomings. If there is any responsibility, I believe it lies entirely with me as the representative." She continued, "I did not work at Jeongdaehyeop with the intention of pursuing personal gain, as the prosecution claims. I ask for a wise judgment so that my colleagues and I can keep the promises made to the victims of the Japanese military sexual slavery and vigorously spread the wings of peace."
With the conclusion of the final hearing, the court wrapped up the two-year trial process. The verdict is scheduled for the 7th of next month. Previously, Yoon was indicted in September 2020 on charges of using over 100 million won of donations and budget intended for victims of sexual slavery for personal purposes while serving as the representative of the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeongdaehyeop) and its successor, Justice Memory Solidarity, from 2011 to 2020. She is also accused of deceiving the government and local authorities to obtain subsidies exceeding 360 million won and of having grandmother Gil Won-ok, who suffers from dementia, donate or gift 79.2 million won to Justice Memory Solidarity.
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