Former Korean Lawmaker's Sentence for Embezzling Funds Upheld by Supreme Court

South Korea's Supreme Court has upheld a suspended prison sentence for ex-lawmaker Yoon Meehyang, convicted of embezzling funds while supporting Korean survivors of Japan's wartime sexual slavery. Yoon, previously with the Democratic Party, faced accusations of misusing donations intended for victims and fraudulently obtaining government subsidies.

In a pivotal legal decision, South Korea's Supreme Court upheld the conviction of former lawmaker Yoon Meehyang on charges of embezzlement and fraud. The ruling reaffirms a previous court's decision, delivering a suspended prison sentence for a series of financial misdeeds related to her leadership role in a support group for Korean survivors of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.

Yoon was found guilty of misappropriating funds designated for public good, instead using them for personal gain, and obtaining substantial government subsidies through fraudulent means. The controversy initially surfaced in 2020 when a victim accused her of financial misconduct.

This case magnifies the historical grievances rooted in Japan's colonial past on the Korean Peninsula, as the financial scandal casts a shadow over the noble cause of seeking justice for wartime survivors. Despite these convictions, Yoon maintains her innocence, attributing the allegations to misunderstandings.

(With inputs from agencies.)