Yoon Mi-hyang Accused of Embezzling Donations from Jeonguiyeon, Fined 15 Million Won in First Trial (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporters Taewon Choi and Byungseon Gong] Yoon Mee-hyang, an independent lawmaker who was tried for embezzling donations meant for Japanese military comfort women victims, was sentenced to a fine of 15 million won in the first trial.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 10th, Moon Byung-chan, presiding judge of the 11th Criminal Division at the Seoul Western District Court, sentenced Yoon, who was indicted on eight charges including violations of the Act on the Management of Subsidies and the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations, fraud, embezzlement in the course of duty, and breach of trust, to a fine of 15 million won. The first trial verdict for Yoon came two years and five months after the prosecution indicted her in September 2020. Previously, the prosecution had requested a five-year prison sentence. A director A of the Justice and Memory Foundation (Jeong-ui-yeon), who was indicted together, was acquitted.

The court explained the sentencing by stating, "Considering the timing, frequency, and usage of the amounts, the degree of breach of duty does not appear to be severe," and "It is difficult to see that Yoon intentionally embezzled by transferring money to her personal account." Furthermore, "Yoon has donated more than the amount recognized as guilty while working as an activist under harsh conditions for 30 years," and "Taking into account the appeals for leniency from activists of various domestic organizations, the sentence was decided accordingly."

Yoon is accused of embezzling over 100 million won in donations for comfort women victims while serving as the chairperson of Jeong-ui-yeon and the representative of the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeongdae-hyeop) from 2011 to 2020. Additionally, she is reported to have deceived the government and local governments to receive about 360 million won in subsidies and to have used the dementia symptoms of comfort woman victim Gil Won-ok to have 79.2 million won donated to Jeong-ui-yeon.

After the trial, Yoon stated, "Most of the prosecution’s excessive charges were proven innocent," and "Although only a small portion of 17 million won out of the over 100 million won the prosecution claimed was embezzled was recognized as guilty, I did not embezzle even that part." She added, "I will sufficiently clarify that part through the remaining appeal process."

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