Criticizing 'Jeonguiyeon' Leads to Imprisonment?… Yoon Mee-hyang Proposes 'Anti-Defamation Law for Comfort Women' Bill

Kim Kyung-yul "You Should Not Defame Justice Coalition" Criticism

Independent lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang, who was indicted on charges including embezzlement of funds from the Justice Memory Solidarity, is heading to the courtroom of Criminal Division 11 at the Seoul Western District Court for her first trial held on the afternoon of the 11th. 2021.8.11 / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang (56), who was indicted on charges of embezzling subsidies and donations from the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeonguiyeondae), participated in the proposal of a bill prohibiting defamation against organizations related to Japanese military 'comfort women' victims.

The amendment to the "Act on the Protection, Support, and Commemoration Projects for Japanese Military 'Comfort Women' Victims under Japanese Colonial Rule," proposed by In Jae-geun of the Democratic Party of Korea on the 13th, involved a total of 10 Democratic Party lawmakers, including Yoon.

The bill states, "No one shall publicly state facts or spread false information about Japanese military 'comfort women' victims with the intent to defame the victims or their families, nor damage the honor of the victims, their families, or organizations related to Japanese military 'comfort women' victims," and includes a clause that "those who spread false information shall be subject to imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won."

Rep. In explained the purpose, saying, "Recently, there have been cases domestically and internationally where the history related to 'comfort women' is openly denied or distorted, and victims are insulted and defamed," adding, "Such behavior causes serious mental harm and suffering to the victims."

However, criticism has emerged that the bill is essentially a "Jeonguiyeondae Protection Act," as Yoon, a former chairperson of Jeonguiyeondae and accused of using some of the donations for 'comfort women' victims for personal purposes, participated in the bill. Netizens expressed negative reactions such as "An unprecedented evil law to protect Jeonguiyeondae," "Does criticizing Jeonguiyeondae mean imprisonment?" and "It means keep quiet because they will keep exploiting."

Kim Kyung-yul, a certified public accountant and author of the "Cho Kuk Black Book," criticized on his social media on the 23rd by posting part of the bill's content, saying, "They say you cannot defame Jeonguiyeondae even if you state facts."

Meanwhile, Yoon was indicted on charges of falsifying documents to claim government subsidies by making it appear that a curator existed at the museum operated by the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeongdaehyeop), the predecessor of Jeonguiyeondae, and using donations collected in personal accounts for purposes unrelated to Jeongdaehyeop operations. She is also accused of operating the Anseong shelter like a lodging business, lending it to civic groups about 50 times for profit, and selling the shelter at a price higher than the purchase price, causing losses to Jeongdaehyeop.

Additionally, Yoon entered the 21st National Assembly as a proportional representative of the Democratic Party of Korea but was expelled from the party after allegations of real estate speculation surfaced during a full investigation by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in June. She appeared at her first trial on the 11th and fully denied the charges, stating, "I have lived without shame as an activist of Jeongdaehyeop for 30 years."

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