Yoon Mee-hyang, Suspected of Accounting Fraud in Jeonguiyeon, Underwent 14.5-Hour Overnight Interrogation at Prosecutors' Office

Yoon Mi-hyang, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Jin-hyeong Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Yoon Mee-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared at the prosecution for an overnight investigation regarding allegations of accounting fraud involving the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae).

Yoon, who appeared at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office as a suspect around 1:30 PM on the 13th, completed about 14 hours and 30 minutes of questioning and finished reviewing the interrogation record at 4:05 AM on the 14th.

Yoon's sudden appearance at the prosecution came three months after the investigation into Jeonguiyeondae began.

She faced allegations related to collecting donations through personal accounts in 2018 and 2019, and the recent sale of the Anseong Shelter, which was purchased for 750 million KRW in 2013, for 400 million KRW.

The prosecution reportedly examined whether Yoon misappropriated donations for personal use and any illegalities in the process of purchasing and selling the building, among other raised suspicions.

On May 11 of this year, several civic groups filed complaints against Yoon, the former chairperson of Jeonguiyeondae, and related parties regarding poor accounting, embezzlement of donations, and the overpriced purchase of the Anseong Shelter. The prosecution assigned the case on May 14 and began the investigation.

Since then, the prosecution conducted raids on Jeonguiyeondae’s office and the Mapo and Anseong shelters, and summoned accounting personnel from Jeonguiyeondae and its predecessor, the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeongdaehyeop), for questioning multiple times. On the 28th of last month, a former Jeongdaehyeop employee was summoned on suspicion of violating the Subsidy Management Act.

When the allegations surfaced, Yoon held a press conference on May 29, a day before her term as a lawmaker began, apologizing sincerely for causing deep wounds and concerns to all who trusted and entrusted her. However, she completely denied all allegations except for the collection of donations through personal accounts.

With Yoon, who was at the center of the allegations related to Jeonguiyeondae, undergoing prosecution investigation, it is presumed that the related investigation is nearing its end. However, it is uncertain whether the prosecution will take a 'strong measure' such as requesting an arrest warrant for Yoon. Since Yoon will gain immunity from arrest with the opening of the extraordinary session of the National Assembly on the 18th, if the prosecution requests an arrest warrant, they must obtain the consent of the National Assembly.

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