[Anchor]
Choi Dong-seok, the Director of the Personnel Innovation Office, who has been at the center of controversy, has been found to have made offensive comments about a comfort woman victim. Five years ago, when Lee Yong-soo, a comfort woman survivor, raised suspicions of ‘donation embezzlement’ against former lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, Choi sided with Yoon by saying, “Being a victim doesn’t mean they’re absolute good.” There are criticisms that this reveals a distorted perception towards victims, similar to a column that disparaged the victim of sexual violence by former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.
This is a special report by reporter Lee Tae-hee.
[Report]
Five years ago, Lee Yong-soo, a victim of Japan’s military sexual slavery, accused donations received by the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance (the group led by Yoon Mi-hyang during her tenure as chairperson) of not being used transparently, raising suspicions of embezzlement.
Lee Yong-soo / Comfort Woman Victim (May 2020)
“The money was raised for grandmothers across the country. Where on earth was it used…”
In response, Choi Dong-seok disparaged Lee by calling her comments “rambling” and a “plot to tarnish the Moon Jae-in administration.”
He also stated, “Being a victim doesn’t make one an absolute good” and expressed support for Yoon Mi-hyang, telling her not to back down.
At the time, this essentially aligned with conspiracy theories, such as the ‘mastermind theory’ raised by some, including Kim Eo-jun.
Lee Yong-soo complained of secondary victimization.
Lee Yong-soo / Comfort Woman Victim (May 2020, CBS Radio ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’)
“No matter how many times I talk, I’m the only one doing so. Am I a fool? Do I have dementia?”
Yoon was eventually found guilty by the Supreme Court on charges of embezzlement, as per Lee’s accusations.
She received a suspended sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation, rendering her ineligible for office. However, due to the lengthy trial, she completed her full four-year term as a lawmaker.
Even within loyalist circles, concerns have been raised about Director Choi.
Kim Young-jin / Democratic Party of Korea Lawmaker (CBS Radio ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’)
“I want to say there are many concerns about whether someone who manages evaluations of public officials and recommends and manages talent is appropriate for that role.”
Lawmaker Kim also stated that “we should reflect on those who recommended someone like Director Choi.”
This is TV Chosun’s Lee Tae-hee.