Only 4 Days Left for Immunity... Prosecution to Summon Yoon Mi-hyang for Private Interrogation Soon

Compliance with Regulations Prohibiting Disclosure of Criminal Cases

On the afternoon of the 29th, Yoon Mi-hyang, the elected member of the Democratic Party of Korea, left the building through the underground parking lot after stating her position on the accounting allegations related to the Justice Memory Solidarity at the National Assembly Communication Office. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyung-min and Jung Dong-hoon] Ahead of the expected summons of Yoon Mi-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, later this week, the prosecution has decided to keep all details regarding the summons schedule and method strictly confidential. Although there is significant public interest, considering the potential impact on the political sphere, they intend to thoroughly adhere to the Ministry of Justice directive on 'Regulations on the Prohibition of Disclosure of Criminal Cases.' Previously, when the summons of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was revealed to the media, the prosecution disclosed the start and end times of the investigation.

According to the legal community on the 1st, the prosecution has set a policy to summon Representative Yoon soon and not disclose any related information externally. The prosecution is expected to focus on questioning whether Yoon misappropriated donations to the Justice and Peace Foundation (Jeonguiyeon) for personal use, the reasons for omissions in Jeonguiyeon's accounting, and suspicions related to the purchase of the 'Anseong Shelter.'

The prosecution is tracking the flow of money as the most critical aspect of this case. To this end, they have been intensively working on tracing Jeonguiyeon's accounts and reviewing accounting books seized during a search of Jeonguiyeon's office. On the 26th of last month, they summoned Jeonguiyeon's accounting officer as a witness for questioning. Last week, they reinforced their investigative team by dispatching a financial tracking specialist from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

If the prosecution summons Representative Yoon this week, it is interpreted as taking into account that Yoon will be granted 'immunity from arrest' starting from the 5th. Although Yoon's term began with the opening of the 21st National Assembly on the 30th of last month, the privilege is granted only when the National Assembly's extraordinary session convenes. At a press conference on the 29th of last month, Yoon emphasized, "I have no intention of avoiding the prosecution's summons. I will sincerely cooperate with the investigation and take full responsibility for everything that follows. I will also clarify the account details."

If Yoon refuses to comply with the prosecution's summons, as some have feared, the prosecution can obtain a consent to arrest from the National Assembly to proceed with the investigation. However, this is theoretically possible but subject to many variables depending on the current National Assembly situation. Given that the Democratic Party of Korea, to which Yoon belongs, holds 177 seats in the National Assembly, the likelihood of the prosecution's consent to arrest being approved appears low.

Yoon is also suspected of collecting donations through a personal account and using the funds to purchase five houses in cash, owned by herself and her family, as well as for her daughter's study abroad expenses. Additionally, there are allegations that she secured unfair benefits by having the newspaper company operated by her husband receive work from Jeonguiyeon. In response, Yoon has actively addressed various suspicions on her social media accounts following the press conference.

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