The former leader of an advocacy group for South Korean women who suffered under Japan’s military brothel system before and during World War II on Friday denied allegations of misusing funds meant for the victims but apologized for "banking errors."

Yoon Mee-hyang is under prosecution investigation over allegations she had used government subsidies for her own benefit, not to help the so-called "comfort women" — a euphemism for women who were forced or coerced to provide sex in Japan's wartime brothels.

She recently stepped down as longtime leader of the group, the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, better known as Jungdaehyup, to contest a national election and won a seat in parliament.