Lee Jae-myung on Yoon Mi-hyang's "Fine Penalty": "How Unfair It Must Have Been... I'm Sorry"

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is under suspicion of breach of trust related to preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town development projects, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the 10th as a suspect. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, harshly criticized the prosecution on the 11th for sentencing independent lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang, who was tried on charges of embezzling funds donated to the Justice Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae) for personal use, to a fine in the first trial.

On that day, Lee wrote on his Facebook page titled "The Prosecution That Made Lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang a Demon," stating, "Eight charges with a five-year prison sentence requested. After two and a half years of trial, seven not guilty and one fine," and added, "How unfair must it have been for her, whose entire life was denied and who became a demon?"

The day before, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Moon Byung-chan) sentenced Yoon, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Subsidy Act and the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations, fraud, and embezzlement in the course of duty, to a fine of 15 million won. The court concluded that Yoon used about 17 million won out of 103.7 million won in donations she managed as chairperson of Jeonguiyeondae and its predecessor, Jeongdaehyeop, from 2011 to 2020, for personal purposes in a total of 68 instances. However, the court found insufficient evidence to consider the remaining amount as used for personal purposes. She was acquitted of all charges related to violation of the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations, fraud, and others.

Regarding the court's judgment, Lee said, "Even I, who was equally victimized by the prosecution and fake news, doubted...," and conveyed to Yoon, "I am sorry. I was wrong. I will pull myself together again."

Lee’s statement appears to point out that the prosecution’s indictment of Yoon was excessive, while also emphasizing that the ongoing prosecution investigation against him, including his appearance at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office the day before for questioning related to suspicions about the Wirye New Town and Daejang-dong development projects, is also a political investigation.