Prosecutors Decide to Investigate Justice Network Directly Six Days Later... Concerns Over Evidence Tampering

Forced Investigation Without Complainant Interview
Likely to Verify Accounting Omissions and Donation Usage

On the afternoon of the 20th, reporters are covering the ongoing prosecution raid at the Justice Memory Solidarity office in Mapo-gu, Seoul, related to allegations of poor accounting and the overpriced purchase of the Anseong shelter.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Gwan-ju and Jeong Dong-hoon] The prosecution's search and seizure of Justice Memory Solidarity (Jeonguiyeon) and others was carried out abruptly just ten days after the complaint was filed and six days after the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office decided to investigate. Contrary to initial reports, it was revealed on the 21st that the prosecution obtained search warrants not only for their offices but also for the accounts of Jeonguiyeon and President-elect Yoon, allowing them to verify the details of donations and withdrawals.

The search and seizure, which began on the afternoon of the 20th and lasted 12 hours until the early morning of the 21st, was unusual in length. It is also notable that the prosecution launched a forced investigation immediately without questioning the complainant. It is reported that the search warrant named President-elect Yoon as the accused. As Yoon, who is at the center of various suspicions, appeared to be deleting related records, the prosecution seems to have moved quickly to secure evidence. Recently, Yoon blocked her social network service (SNS) posts about collecting comfort women donation funds in her personal account, and Yoon’s husband deleted an article announcing the opening of the Anseong Healing Center from the local newspaper he represented.

Through this search and seizure, the prosecution is investigating the use of comfort women donation funds and accounting omissions, while closely examining the legality of fundraising and usage by tracing the donation accounts of Jeonguiyeon and Jeongdaeyeon. Given that President-elect Yoon is at the heart of these suspicions, it is expected that she will be summoned soon, and there is a possibility of a search and seizure of her residence to secure evidence. Jeonguiyeon expressed regret over the search and seizure, stating, "We regret the search and seizure conducted during the external accounting verification process," but added, "Nevertheless, we hope that the suspicions raised so far will be swiftly resolved through a fair investigation process."

The series of controversies is likely to intensify around the second press conference scheduled for the 25th by grandmother Lee Yong-soo, a victim of the Japanese military sexual slavery. On the 20th, Lee met with President-elect Yoon, informed her of the press conference plans, and invited her to attend. Since the content is expected to criticize the responses shown by Yoon and Jeonguiyeon after the first press conference, public opinion urging decisive action from Yoon and Jeonguiyeon may grow stronger from this point.

Meanwhile, it is known that more than ten charges have been listed in the complaints filed against President-elect Yoon and Jeonguiyeon so far. The main charges include ▲embezzlement and fraud ▲violation of the Subsidy Act ▲fraud ▲violation of the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations ▲breach of trust in business ▲violation of the Public Health Control Act, among others.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.