Former representative of South Korean comfort women organization faces possibility of ``losing parliamentary position'', goes to Supreme Court for hearing

We have filed a lawsuit against Yoon Mi-hyang, a former representative of the former comfort women support group and a member of the National Assembly, who was charged with EMBEZZLEMENT in the course of his business for allegedly misappropriating donations to former comfort women in South Korea. Seoul High Court
On the 20th of this month, an appeals court handed down a sentence of one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years (5 years' imprisonment). Defendant Yoon plans to appeal the verdict, but if the Supreme Court confirms his prison sentence, he will lose his position as a lawmaker.
cormorant. South Korean media reported on the outcome of that day's trial and the prospects for Yoon's appeal with headlines such as, ``Yun Mi-hyang appeals sentence due to loss of her position as a lawmaker'' (Newsis).
The former chairman of South Korea's former comfort women support group, ``Justice Memory Solidarity to Solve the Issue of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery'' (Seigiren, formerly Chongdaehyup), said that regarding Yun, the justice association
In September 2020, he was indicted without detention for business-related EMBEZZLEMENT charges for using approximately 100 million won (approximately 11.14 million yen) of funds kept in the corporate and personal accounts of the predecessor of Kyotaehyup. In addition, dementia
He is also charged with quasi-fraud for allegedly deceiving a former comfort woman into donating 50 million won to the Justice League. The reason why defendant Yoon was accused of financial fraud was because he had a long-standing relationship with defendant Yoon.
The press conference was held in May 2020 by Lee Yong-soo, a former comfort woman who has worked with the former comfort women for many years. Mr. Lee said, ``Where will the relief money (donations) for the comfort women be used?''
I don't know if it's there. "I have never used it on a victim," and "For 30 years, I have been deceived as much as I have been deceived, and I have been used as much as I have been used." This accusation triggered the activities of defendant Yoon and others.
Public distrust spread. Meanwhile, defendant Yoon has completely denied the charges in previous trials. In the first trial, he said, ``I believe that I have lived my life as an activist without shame for the past 30 years,'' and ``Oh no.
"Through malicious media reports and baseless suspicions, he has been made into a demonic criminal."
In February, the Seoul Western District Court handed down a fine of 15 million won. Also charged with fraud, etc.
Most of the charges were acquitted. At the time, Yun criticized the prosecutors' investigation, saying, ``Most of the cases that the prosecutors forced to indict resulted in acquittals.'' Furthermore, he added, ``Some amounts for which there was insufficient explanation were also left unanswered.
We have repeatedly emphasized that there was no such thing as a lie, and we will sincerely prove it at the appeals court.'' Both defendant Yoon and the prosecution subsequently filed an appeal.
Defendant Yoon was elected as a member of the National Assembly in April 2020, just before the allegations were made, and was a member of the ruling party at the time.
He has been active as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan (currently an opposition party). However, in June 2021, he was expelled from the party due to suspicions of illegal activities related to real estate transactions and ownership.
He is active as an independent member of parliament. On the 20th of this month, the second trial was held, and the Seoul High Court handed down a sentence of one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years, which was a heavier sentence than the first trial. At the appellate court
EMBEZZLEMENT's certified amount increased from 17.18 million won in the first trial to 80 million won, and the sentence was harsher because he was found guilty of stealing 65 million won in state subsidies by falsely stating personnel expenses.
became. According to Yonhap News, the high court said, ``Despite the need for thorough management of donations to support comfort women, etc., EMBEZZLEMENT failed to meet expectations, causing harm to those who support the Korean Federation.''
Ta. There was also no direct compensation or recovery of damages." On the other hand, he said, ``We have continued our activities for 30 years despite a lack of human and material resources, and that multiple organizations and comfort women's families have demanded good treatment.''
He explained the reason for the sentencing. Defendant Yoon responded to the press after the verdict, saying, ``I did my best to fully prove my innocence at trial, but it was not accepted.I appealed and was acquitted.''
to prove. "We will work hard to ensure that the 30-year movement to resolve the comfort women issue is not diminished." As mentioned above, under the National Diet Act and the Public Offices Election Act, members of the Diet are subject to
If the above sentence (including suspended sentence) is confirmed, he will lose his position as a member of the Diet. Many Korean media outlets are reporting that Yoon is in danger of losing his position as a member of parliament, while Yoon is currently in his first term, and his term ends in April next year.
Therefore, Mainichi Keizai reported, ``It is expected that he will be able to complete his term of office.''