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Government to Seize Assets of Collaborators in Colonial Era |
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By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
A government body Wednesday decided to confiscate land owned by the descendants of pro-Japan collaborators during the colonial period (1910-1945).
For the first time in 58 years, the government has taken the first steps to clear away the colonial-era legacy. But the seizure invited immediate protest from those affected. They threatened to file suits for the infringement of private property ownership.
These descendants can file an administrative suit within 90 days after they are notified of the confiscation.
The presidential body, the Investigative Commission on Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Property, announced that the government will seize 254,906 square meters of land owned by the offspring of the nine key post holders who amassed wealth through cooperation with Japan during its colonial rule. The land is valued at 3.6 billion won.
The confiscation has been made possible following the National Assembly's enactment of a special law in December 2005.
The nine Japanese collaborators are: Lee Wan-yong, the Joseon Kingdom minister who helped Japan's colonization; Lee's son Byeong-gil; Song Byung-jun who worked as a political adviser under the colonial government; Song's son Jong-heon; Ko Hee-kyeong, Cho Joong-eung, Kwon Joong-hyeon and his son Tae-hwan, officials under the colonial government; and Lee Jae-geuk who was created a baron by the Japanese government.
The seized property includes assets the collaborators obtained between 1904 and Aug. 15 in 1945 for their cooperation with Japan. Property that any third party obtained later without knowing the fact was excluded.
The commission will report the property to the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the assets will be registered under the name of the state.
The property will be used to compensate independence fighters and their offspring for the sacrifices they made during the colonial period. It will also be spent on projects commemorating the independence movement.
The panel is running against time in its search for wealth the pro-Japan collaborators passed to their offspring. Under the law, their investigative right will be terminated in 2009.
``The confiscation has been made 58 years after a special committee to clear off remnants of Japanese colonization failed in 1949. We'll continue the confiscation for more Japanese collaborators,'' a panel member said.
rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr |
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