Prosecution Appeals Partial Acquittal in 'Yoon Mi-hyang Embezzlement' Case Citing "Unfair Sentencing"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] The prosecution has appealed the first trial verdict that acquitted Yoon Mee-hyang (58), a lawmaker and former director of Jeonguiyeon, on some charges including embezzlement in the course of duty.

Independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang is delivering the opening remarks at the "National Assembly Forum for the Improvement of Welfare for Retired Racehorses" held on the 13th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 16th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office announced that it appealed the first trial verdict against independent lawmaker Yoon, citing factual errors, legal misinterpretations, and inappropriate sentencing.

The 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Moon Byung-chan) sentenced Yoon to a fine of 15 million won on the 10th for charges including embezzlement in the course of duty and violation of the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations. At that time, the court recognized that about 17 million won kept in the corporate and personal accounts of the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeongdaehyeop) was embezzled personally, but acquitted her of charges such as violation of the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations.

The prosecution stated that after a detailed analysis of the acquittal parts of the first trial verdict, there were parts that contradicted legal principles, factual circumstances, and legislative intent.

Regarding the embezzlement charge, the prosecution said, "Although it was stated that embezzlement can be inferred if there is no reasonable evidence for mixing Jeongdaehyeop’s funds with personal funds or expenditures without proof, the court acquitted based solely on the 'possibility' that the mixed funds in individual items were related to Jeongdaehyeop’s activities, which is problematic."

Regarding the violation of the Act on the Collection and Use of Donations, the prosecution said, "The court judged that 'supporting members' or 'one-time donors,' who cannot participate in decision-making or operations of Jeongdaehyeop, are all members of Jeongdaehyeop and thus no registration for fundraising was necessary," which contradicts the legislative intent of the Act and existing precedents.

Additionally, the prosecution argued that it is difficult to accept the court’s verdict in light of basic legal principles and facts concerning other parts such as violation of the Subsidy Act related to false museum registration, quasi-fraud against Grandma Gil, and breach of trust related to the Anseong shelter.

Furthermore, the prosecution judged that the sentencing for the parts recognized as guilty did not sufficiently reflect the defendant’s criminal nature.

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