Justice Minister Jeong Sung-ho: "At Least 32.5 Billion Won in Pro-Japanese Assets to Be Recovered Upon Launch of 2nd Investigation Committee"

Minister of Justice Jeong Sung-ho stated today (the 15th), which marks the 81st Liberation Day, that "once the 2nd Pro-Japanese Property Investigation Committee is launched, we expect to recover at least 32.5 billion won in pro-Japanese assets."

In a post uploaded to Facebook today, Minister Jeong made the remark, adding, "The recovered assets will be used for the welfare of independence activists and their descendants."

He explained, "The Ministry of Justice is not only remembering the sacrifices of independence fighters but also putting effort into setting historical justice right," and noted, "Since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration, we have pursued the recovery of pro-Japanese assets as a key agenda, and as a result, the Special Act on the Retrieval of Pro-Japanese Property passed the National Assembly last May."

He continued, "We have resumed asset recovery lawsuits against the descendants of pro-Japanese and anti-national actors—such as Lee Hae-seung, Shin Woo-sun, Im Seon-jun, and Park Hee-yang—which had been suspended under the previous administration," and added, "In the lawsuit against the descendants of Im Seon-jun, one of the 'seven pro-Japanese traitors of 1907' (Jeongmi Chiljeok), the state's victory on all counts was finalized in the first trial."

Minister Jeong further stated, "We must build a righteous nation where those who gave everything for their country are respected, while the unjust gains accumulated by those who sold out the nation to build wealth and honor are returned to their rightful place," adding, "I will fulfill my duty to set history straight with the spirit of liberation so that all citizens can take pride in an independent Republic of Korea."

The Special Act on the Retrieval of Pro-Japanese Property stipulates that even pro-Japanese assets that have already been disposed of through third-party sales or other means must have their monetary value retrieved to be used for independence activists and their bereaved families.

Promulgated on June 2 of this year, the law will officially take effect on December 2, following a six-month grace period.

Under this law, the Investigation Committee on Pro-Japanese Anti-Nationalists' Property, which was dissolved in 2010, will be reconstituted and operate for up to five years.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.