문 대통령 "위안부운동 훼손 안돼, 기부금 통합관리 시스템 구축"
There's been controversy stirring over a civic group dedicated to helping former victims of Japan's wartime sex slavery... allegedly misusing public donations.
President Moon Jae-in, for the first time, has given an official response.
He vowed to make sure their activities are transparent,... while stressing that the campaign's legacy itself should not be denied.
Kim Min-ji has this report.
President Moon Jae-in says the 30-year campaign advocating for the Korean victims of wartime sexual enslavement by the Japanese military is an ongoing movement stressing that the campaign's legacy cannot be denied.
His remarks, in a meeting with his top aides Monday, were his first official response to a controversy surrounding a civic group dedicated to helping the victims, who are known euphemistically as 'comfort women.'
It's not right to attempt to deny the comfort women movement and damage its cause. Such an act tears down the dignity and honor of the victims.
The controversy centers around activist-turned-lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang of the ruling Democratic Party, who led the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance an NGO for the sex slavery victims.
She's been accused of misusing public donations meant to support the victims,... who are now mostly in their 80s or 90s.
Currently, there are 17 registered survivors still living.
The allegations emerged after former comfort woman Lee Yong-soo raised suspicions with the organization's accounting practices now under scrutiny.
Moon said that the latest controversy has served as a chance to look back on how civic groups operate.
The government will use the controversy as a chance to establish a consolidated system for donations and to fundamentally strengthen the transparency of all activities to collect donations and raise funds.
President Moon expressed hope that the controversy and hardship will become an opportunity to further develop the comfort women movement,.... noting that the wounds of the victims have not been fully healed,... and that reconciliation and a sincere apology from Japan have yet to come.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.
