First Summons Investigation on 'Accounting Fraud' Related to Jeonguiyeon... Yoon's Investigation Net Tightens

Yoon Mi-hyang, proportional representative-elect of the Democratic Party of Korea (former director of the Justice Memory Solidarity) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The prosecution, investigating accounting fraud and the high-priced purchase allegations of the 'Anseong Shelter' involving Yoon Mi-hyang, the proportional representative-elect of the Democratic Party of Korea, and the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae), is narrowing its investigation net around Yoon. According to the prosecution on the 27th, the Criminal Division 4 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Choi Ji-seok) summoned A, the accounting officer of Jeonguiyeondae, as a witness yesterday afternoon. This investigation marks the first summons of a person related to the case since the investigation began.

Earlier, on the 20th and 21st, the prosecution conducted searches at three locations: the Jeonguiyeondae office in Mapo-gu, Seoul, the War and Women's Human Rights Museum, and 'Our House of Peace,' a shelter for former Japanese military comfort women.

With the investigation of related persons underway, there is speculation that Yoon's summons is imminent. A Jeonguiyeondae official said, "Person A received a summons notice from the prosecution on the 23rd and coordinated the schedule with their lawyer before appearing yesterday." As the investigation into Jeonguiyeondae officials intensifies, there are also reports that the summons schedule for Yoon, the central figure in the allegations, is already being arranged. However, a Western District Prosecutors' Office official stated, "We cannot confirm the investigation schedule or situation."

The prosecution is expected to accelerate the investigation before the 21st National Assembly session begins, likely on the 11th of next month. This is when the constitutional privilege against arrest for members of the National Assembly takes effect. After that, approval from the National Assembly is required for arrest. Since the ruling party holds more than half of the parliamentary seats, obtaining arrest approval will not be easy. If Yoon refuses to comply with the prosecution's summons, the investigation could face difficulties.

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol has personally demanded a focus on the investigation and reinforced investigative personnel. Recently, Yoon instructed senior officials at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to "swiftly investigate the Justice and Memory Foundation's accounting fraud and Anseong Shelter allegations, as government subsidies were involved, and clarify all suspicions raised by the media." The Supreme Prosecutors' Office dispatched a financial tracking specialist to analyze accounting books to the Western District Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the case, and plans to provide additional investigators.

Earlier, civic groups such as the Action Alliance for the Restoration of the Rule of Law and the Judicial Examination Preparation Group filed complaints on the 11th of this month against Yoon and other Jeonguiyeondae officials for charges including fraud, embezzlement, and breach of trust related to the misuse of donations and the high-priced purchase of the Anseong Shelter. Subsequently, allegations raised by the media concerning Yoon's cash purchase of an apartment and the source of his daughter's study abroad expenses have also surfaced.

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