Assemblywoman Yoon Mee-hyang Actively Addresses Allegations Regarding Daughter's Scholarship and Donation Funds

Daughter of 'Kim Bokdong Scholarship Student' Refutes Media Reports: "Received Personal Allowance from Grandmother"
At National Assembly Press Conference on 29th Last Month, "No Intention to Evade Prosecutor Investigation"

Yoon Mi-hyang, then a Democratic Party of Korea elected member, held a press conference to explain allegations of accounting fraud related to the Justice Memory Solidarity on the 29th of last month at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Yoon Mee-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who has begun her term as a National Assembly member, has actively denied allegations surrounding her, including those related to her daughter's scholarship and the account name of the donation fund. This behavior contrasts with her previous near-silent stance while still a member-elect.

On the afternoon of the 30th of last month, Yoon posted on her Facebook, stating, "The Chosun Ilbo's report that 'Yoon Mee-hyang paid her daughter's tuition with the Kim Bok-dong Scholarship' is not true," and added, "The description of my child as a 'Kim Bok-dong grandmother scholarship student' is unrelated to the Kim Bok-dong Scholarship. The expression emphasizes that it was pocket money given by Grandma Kim to my child."

On the same day, the Chosun Ilbo reported that Yoon had mentioned her daughter, Ms. Kim, in a Facebook post from March 2012, saying she was "admitted to Kyung Hee University’s College of Music, Department of Piano, as a Kim Bok-dong grandmother scholarship student." Subsequently, suspicions arose that part of the late Kim Bok-dong grandmother's scholarship funds might have been used for Yoon's daughter's university admission.

This explanation continued on the 1st. Regarding the allegation that the 'Nabi Fund' account, established in 2012 to support victims of sexual violence, was opened under Yoon's personal name and its purpose unclear, Yoon responded, "Although it was opened under my personal name, it is an account used exclusively for the Nabi Fund," and clarified, "It is not a mixed-use account."

She added, "The mixed-use account issue relates to other fundraising activities that began in 2014, which is chronologically different from the apartment purchase in 2012."

Earlier, after various allegations including the misuse of comfort women funds by the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeokdae), Yoon appeared on a radio interview on the 18th of last month and expressed her refusal to resign from her National Assembly position.

After maintaining silence and not appearing in official settings, Yoon held a press conference on the 29th of last month at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, where she addressed allegations surrounding herself and Jeonguiyeokdae, including the undervalued sale of the Anseong shelter and misuse of donations.

On that day, she stated, "I will clarify any shortcomings without a trace of suspicion through the prosecution investigation and additional explanations," and expressed her intention to retain her assembly seat, saying, "I will explain and work responsibly until the public is convinced."

Regarding the possibility of future summons by the prosecution under the parliamentary immunity granted with the start of her term, she said, "I have no intention of avoiding (the investigation)," and added, "I intend to sincerely fulfill all responsibilities during the prosecution investigation process and thereafter."

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