Despite 'Yoon Meehyang's Conviction for Embezzlement'... Jeonguiyeon Donation Refund Lawsuit Dismissed

Court Dismisses Donors' Lawsuit After Six Years

The lawsuit filed by supporters of the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan (Jeonguiyeon), a civic group for victims of Japanese military sexual slavery, seeking the return of donations from the organization and former lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang, was dismissed after nearly six years.

On May 28, Judge Ju Han-gil of the 36th Single Civil Division of the Seoul Western District Court ruled against the plaintiffs in a lawsuit brought by Jeonguiyeon supporters against the organization, its predecessor the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, and former lawmaker Yoon, seeking the return of donations.

Yoon Mee-hyang, former lawmaker. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

In May 2020, when allegations surfaced that former lawmaker Yoon had misappropriated Jeonguiyeon donation funds for personal use, two supporters filed a lawsuit in September of the same year, claiming the purpose of their donation had been undermined and demanding the return of 1.2 million won in donations.

The civil trial was put on hold for an extended period to await the outcome of related criminal proceedings, but resumed after former lawmaker Yoon received a final sentence of one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years, for embezzlement of donation funds in November 2024.

In January of this year, the court recommended a settlement in which the Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan and former lawmaker Yoon would return the donations, but as former lawmaker Yoon objected, the case proceeded to a full trial.

Meanwhile, the court on the same day also dismissed a separate lawsuit in which three supporters demanded the return of 3.65 million won from the House of Sharing, a care facility for victims of military sexual slavery.

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