[Column] The Blue House's Political Silence on the 'Yoon Mi-hyang Allegations'

President Moon Jae-in, during his tenure as the leader of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy in 2015, is attending the 1200th regular Wednesday demonstration for the resolution of the comfort women issue held in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, shaking hands with Grandmother Lee Yong-soo (2015.10.14).

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] It has come to the point of conspiracy theories. The irresponsible allegations made by pro-government figures against Grandmother Lee Yong-soo are going too far. Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun used his radio program as a megaphone to spread baseless 'conspiracy theories,' and former Saenuri Democratic Union (the predecessor of the Democratic Party) lawmaker Choi Min-hee belittled Grandmother Lee's concerns by interpreting them as mere 'discomfort with Yoon Mi-hyang becoming a member of the National Assembly.' Some extreme supporters are flooding articles related to Grandmother Lee with mocking comments.

President Moon Jae-in's connection with Grandmother Lee dates back to 2012. At that time, Moon, the Democratic United Party's presidential candidate, held hands with Grandmother Lee and visited the gravesite of comfort women victims. Although he lost the presidential election, Moon, who became party leader in 2015, did not forget and visited the Wednesday demonstrations to meet Grandmother Lee. After assuming the presidency in 2017, he met with Grandmother Lee and other comfort women victims at the Blue House for lunch four times within a year and a half. When U.S. President Donald Trump visited Korea, Grandmother Lee was specially invited to the state banquet, and the scene of her embracing President Trump became a hot topic.

Despite Grandmother Lee's close relationship with President Moon, the Blue House has maintained a long silence regarding the embezzlement allegations raised by her against Representative-elect Yoon Mi-hyang and the Justice and Memory Foundation. It appears that the Blue House made a 'strategic decision' out of concern that this controversy might undermine the efforts of the comfort women human rights movement itself or lead to excessive expansion of responsibility and attacks. In fact, Japanese right-wing media have issued aggressive reports denying the comfort women issue itself, diverging from the essence of this incident.

However, it is puzzling that the Blue House continues to remain silent for 'political reasons' even as Grandmother Lee faces distorted criticism not only from pro-government figures but also from some supporters. This is especially so when recalling the efforts President Moon has devoted to resolving the comfort women issue.

Earlier this year, when President Moon visited a traditional market in Asan, Chungnam, a side dish shop owner said, "(The economy) is terrible," and subsequently faced a barrage of comments from pro-Moon supporters. In response, Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok personally conveyed President Moon's 'heart,' saying, "It is regrettable that the person is being attacked. There was no malice at all." It is said that it was also President Moon who instructed the spokesperson to represent 'an ordinary citizen' rather than himself.

Grandmother Lee is 93 years old this year. It is worrisome whether the grandmother, who has devoted her life to uncovering the truth, will expend energy on absurd conspiracy theories directed at her. As a head of state who never hesitated to apologize to victims of historical injustices, it is curious what President Moon is thinking now.

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