In the 'Yoon Mi-hyang Trial,' Jeonguiyeon Accounting Officer Says "Despite Difficult Conditions, We Persistently Strive for the Japanese Comfort Women Movement"

Independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, who was indicted on charges including embezzlement of funds from the Justice Memory Solidarity, is entering the building to attend the third trial held at the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 29th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The third trial of independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, who is accused of embezzling donations and subsidies while serving as a representative and chairperson at the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeongdaehyeop, the predecessor of the Justice and Remembrance Foundation) and the Justice and Remembrance Foundation, was held. The accounting officer of the Justice and Remembrance Foundation who appeared at the trial emphasized that although there were difficulties due to differing standards from the competent authorities, subsidy-supporting departments, and the National Tax Service regarding accounting treatment, they made continuous efforts.

On the 29th, at the trial of Yoon and others held at the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Moon Byung-chan), Won, the head of the Justice and Remembrance Foundation’s Operations Management Bureau, who appeared as a witness, responded "made continuous efforts" to a question from Yoon’s defense attorney asking whether they worked hard despite low wages and accounting difficulties to leave historical records for future generations. When the attorney asked, "I understand that activists related to the Japanese military comfort women issue did not receive high wages," Won answered, "It is close to the minimum wage," adding, "In the past, there were cases where even the minimum wage was not paid, but now efforts are made not to violate that."

Won joined the Justice and Remembrance Foundation’s predecessor, the Justice and Remembrance Foundation, in 2016. After the integration in July 2018, he moved to Jeongdaehyeop, which maintained a separate legal entity, and was in charge of accounting until early 2019. He currently works at the Justice and Remembrance Foundation.

When the prosecution asked Won how they could detect cases where the business purpose was falsely entered in the 'description' field of bank transfers to reimburse expenses, he flatly denied, saying, "There are no such cases." Another accountant of Jeongdaehyeop testified in a previous trial that it was common for project managers to first pay out of their own money or discuss necessary expenses and then reimburse later, using a "prepayment followed by reimbursement" method for public funds.

Questioning by the prosecution regarding the 'Anseong Shelter,' a resting place for comfort women operated by the Justice and Remembrance Foundation, continued. The prosecution pointed out, "From January 2014, the A Party Suwon City Party Member Council and B Newspaper Company based in Suwon used the Anseong Shelter," adding, "Groups unrelated to the Justice and Remembrance Foundation also used the shelter." In response, Won said, "I understand they are solidarity groups," and "Newspaper companies also show solidarity."

The defense emphasized that checks and balances were in place during decision-making processes while Yoon served as chairperson and that management was transparent. When Yoon’s defense attorney asked, "Did the Justice and Remembrance Foundation and Jeongdaehyeop each have operating committees or planning committees, appoint multiple members to raise agenda items, and have the board of directors make final decisions in the decision-making structure?" Won answered, "Yes." When asked, "Did agenda items raised by the operating committee, which included then-chairperson Yoon Mi-hyang, always pass the board without exception?" Won replied, "Even agenda items raised by the operating committee were sometimes rejected or required revisions and supplements."

The trial lasted about 4 hours and 30 minutes. The prosecution and defense raised their voices sharply over key issues such as private embezzlement allegations.

Yoon was indicted last September on eight charges including fraud, violation of the Act on the Management of Subsidies, Local Finance Act, Act on the Collection and Use of Donations, and embezzlement in the course of duty. The next hearing will be held on November 19.

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