Women’s Group: "Comfort Women Victims Act Amendment, Effectively a Law Protecting Yoon Mee-hyang... Resign Immediately"

by Lim Juhyeong

Published 26 Aug.2021 08:03(KST)

"Using Grandmothers Freely Only to Turn Them into Criminals?"

Independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, who was indicted on charges including embezzlement of funds from the Justice Memory Solidarity, is arriving at the Seoul Western District Court on the afternoon of the 11th for her first trial. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Some women's organizations have opposed the revision bill of the 'Comfort Women Victims Act' proposed by the ruling party, calling it the "Yoon Mi-hyang Protection Act." The bill, co-proposed by independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, centers on prohibiting defamatory statements based on facts against comfort women victims and related organizations. However, concerns have been raised that accusations of corruption against comfort women organizations could also be interpreted as illegal acts under this bill.

The Barun Human Rights Women's Union held a press conference in front of the National Assembly on the 25th, demanding Yoon's resignation and the withdrawal of the revision bill of the 'Act on the Protection, Support, and Commemoration Projects for Victims of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery under Japanese Imperialism' (Comfort Women Victims Act).

The Human Rights Union stated, "Yoon Mi-hyang, who seeks to gain and abuse political power by using comfort women grandmothers as a means and punish critics of the Justice Memory Solidarity, should immediately resign from her position with a heart of deep apology to the entire nation," and added, "The Democratic Party of Korea should deeply reflect on its responsibility for bringing Yoon into the National Assembly and immediately withdraw the 'Justice Solidarity Criticism Punishment Act,' disguised as a comfort women victim support law."

They further criticized, "What is even more absurd is that Yoon herself is listed as a co-proposer of the bill," and questioned, "After exploiting the grandmothers thoroughly, is she only satisfied if those who reveal her corruption in front of reporters are made criminals?"

On the previous day (24th), women's organizations also criticized the revision bill of the Comfort Women Victims Act as effectively the "Yoon Mi-hyang Protection Act."

On that day, the Korean Women's Associations United issued a statement on behalf of 60 member organizations, saying, "The revised bill is being criticized across various sectors as effectively a Justice Memory Solidarity protection law and a Yoon Mi-hyang protection law," and pointed out, "This directly contradicts President Moon Jae-in's message promising communication and support so that the victims' honor can be restored and their emotional wounds healed."

The statue of Peace Girl standing in front of the former Japanese Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th. / Photo by Yonhap News

The revision bill of the Comfort Women Victims Act was previously co-proposed by Democratic Party lawmaker In Jae-geun along with Yoon and others. The bill includes provisions that consider factual statements against comfort women victims, their families, and related organizations as defamation and prohibits such acts.

However, criticism has arisen regarding these provisions. If 'factual statements' are prohibited, even truths about comfort women-related organizations could be interpreted as illegal acts.

Controversy also erupted over Yoon being listed as a co-proposer of the bill. Yoon is currently on trial for allegedly embezzling funds donated to comfort women grandmothers while serving as the director of Justice Memory Solidarity.

Criticism also came from the opposition party. On the 24th, Won Hee-ryong, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party and former governor of Jeju Province, wrote on his Facebook, calling the revision bill the "Yoon Mi-hyang self-protection law," and sharply criticized, "The Democratic Party is giving itself a clean bill of health through legislative rampage."

He continued, "Who exactly is the Democratic Party legislating for? They pretend to legislate for the people and the victims, but in the end, they are only legislating to protect themselves."

Kim Ki-heung, deputy spokesperson for former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's campaign, also issued a statement, criticizing, "Protecting victims and their families is just an excuse; they are blatantly saying they want to protect Yoon Mi-hyang openly."