Controversy Over Yoon Ji-oh's Birthday Party... An Min-seok's Responsibility Debate Emerges

An Min-seok formed 'Assembly Members Meeting with Yoon Ji-oh' last year

When visiting the National Assembly last year, Minseok An, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), and actress Ji-o Yoon (wearing a white top). Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Yoon Ji-oh, who has been active as a witness in the sexual bribery coercion case surrounding the late actress Jang Ja-yeon and is currently on Interpol's red notice for allegations of donation fraud, has sparked controversy by posting a party video on her social network service (SNS). Amid this, there are opinions that Assemblyman Ahn Min-seok of the Democratic Party of Korea should be held responsible.

On the 8th, Yoon posted a video on her SNS showing a birthday party with what appears to be the CN Tower, a landmark in Toronto, Canada, in the background.

The issue is that Yoon is currently under police investigation for allegations of donation fraud, but the prosecution was suspended in May due to her departure abroad. The police had previously requested Interpol to issue a warrant for her.

According to a response document received by Assemblywoman Jo Soo-jin of the People Power Party, a member of the International Legal Affairs Committee, from the Ministry of Justice on the 16th, the Ministry stated that despite Yoon's active SNS activities, her whereabouts remain unclear, causing controversy.

Not only the Ministry of Justice but also Assemblyman Ahn faced critical opinions demanding accountability for Yoon's actions.

Last year, Assemblyman Ahn referred to Yoon as a "courageous whistleblower" and formed and led a group of lawmakers called "Assembly Members with Yoon Ji-oh." The group included members of the same party such as Kwon Mi-hyeok, Nam In-soon, Lee Jong-gul, Lee Hak-young, Jeong Chun-sook, as well as Kim Soo-min of the then Bareunmirae Party, Choi Kyung-hwan of the then Democratic Peace Party, and Chu Hye-sun of the Justice Party.

When allegations of fraud against Yoon arose, Assemblyman Ahn defended her, stating, "The target to fight against is corrupt power, not witness Yoon Ji-oh."

After the Interpol red notice was issued, Assemblyman Ahn apologized, saying, "Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties who tried to help Yoon with good intentions are now in a difficult position. It is all my fault," and added, "They tried to help Yoon with good intentions based on my suggestion."

Meanwhile, Yoon established a nonprofit organization called "Light on the Ground" to protect witnesses and raised 140 million won in donations but was sued for refunding donations by 439 donors. She was also sued for defamation and insult by writer Kim Soo-min, who was assisting with the publication of "The Thirteenth Testimony."

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