SEOUL — President Lee Jae-myung vowed Saturday to track down and reclaim illicit fortunes amassed by pro-Japanese collaborators during the 1910–45 colonial era—including assets already sold off by their descendants—as the government prepares to relaunch a dedicated investigative commission for the first time in 16 years.
Delivering an address at the 81st National Liberation Day commemorative ceremony, President Lee underscored that the passage of the revised special act on June 2 marks a decisive turning point in settling long-overdue historical injustices.
"We will thoroughly investigate and reclaim the fortunes unlawfully amassed by anti-national collaborators, ensuring clear accountability to history," President Lee declared. "The state will responsibly manage every retrieved asset so that all resources are dedicated entirely to honoring and supporting our independence patriots and their bereaved families."
The original Investigative Commission on Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Property operated for four years following its establishment in 2006, seizing assets valued at approximately 237.3 billion won ($172 million) from 168 individuals before its mandate expired in 2010. During the subsequent 16-year legislative vacuum, critics point out that descendants of collaborators systematically liquidated inherited properties or fragmented land ownership to evade future forfeiture.
Public scrutiny reignited recently following controversies surrounding the pro-Japanese records of prominent figures' ancestors. In response to mounting public calls, the National Assembly passed the new special legislation in June, paving the way for the second investigative commission to officially launch this December.
Armed with broader statutory authority, the new commission is empowered not only to seize remaining real estate but also to trace and claw back financial gains from properties previously sold to third parties. The government will also introduce a whistleblower reward system to encourage public tips on concealed assets.
Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho stated that the ministry has already resumed civil recovery litigation against the descendants of notorious collaborators, including Lee Hae-seung, Shin Woo-seon, Im Seon-jun, and Park Hee-yang. The ministry projects that at least 32.5 billion won will be reclaimed once the commission begins its official proceedings.
President Lee reaffirmed that restoring historical justice remains a paramount state duty, pledging that South Korea will spare no administrative resource to honor those who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence.
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