Blue House Responds to Opposition's Criticism Over Yoon Mihyang Allegations: "Inappropriate for President to Comment on Individual Investigations"

[Asia Economy, reporter Son Sunhee] Regarding the allegations of misappropriation of donations by Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Mihyang, the Blue House stated on June 9, "There are questions as to whether it is appropriate for the President to express a position on an investigation concerning a specific individual," adding, "We believe that the public consensus is that it is not appropriate."

A Blue House official told reporters that day, "There may be aspects that could cause public misunderstanding," explaining the position above.

President Moon, at a senior aides and advisors meeting the previous day, said, "The cause of the comfort women movement must be firmly upheld," and added, "This controversy has also become an opportunity to reflect on the methods and practices of civic organizations." This was his first public statement about a month after Lee Yongsoo, a comfort woman survivor, raised the issue on May 7. However, he did not specifically mention lawmaker Yoon or the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance.

In response, Joo Hoeyoung, floor leader of the United Future Party, criticized, "He gave evasive answers without properly addressing the public's demand to clarify whether there was embezzlement or any personal misconduct."

The Blue House official reiterated, "It is not appropriate to comment further on the remarks of floor leader Joo individually."

Meanwhile, floor leader Joo also argued that "the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), who is effectively appointed by the ruling party's recommendation, would find it difficult to properly monitor the President's close associates."

In response, the Blue House official explained, "Of the seven members of the CIO chief recommendation committee, six must agree for an appointment to be made, and two out of the seven are to be recommended by the opposition party," adding, "As a result, unless there is concrete discussion with the opposition, it is difficult to appoint the CIO chief, as stipulated by the revised law." He continued, "I take it as the floor leader's intention that the purpose of establishing the CIO should be properly achieved," and emphasized, "The concerns raised have already been addressed to some extent during the legislative process."

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