"Not a Problem of Historical Interpretation but a Serious Crime," Claim
"'Resolution of Pro-Japanese Anti-National Acts' Related Legislation Must Be Prepared Quickly"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Webtoon artist Yoon Seo-in has sparked controversy by posting remarks mocking independence activists and their descendants. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Special Committee on the Eradication of Pro-Japanese and Anti-National Acts strongly condemned Yoon's remarks as "the height of outrageous and unspeakable slander," urging, "Punish Yoon severely for insulting independence activists and denying the Constitution of the Republic of Korea."
On the 20th, Hong Seong-ryong, Chairman of the Anti-Japanese Special Committee (Democratic Party·Songpa 3), stated, "If the 'Anti-Japanese Special Committee' formed immediately after liberation had functioned properly and purged pro-Japanese collaborators, such anti-national remarks would not have occurred," adding, "There is a saying that those who collaborate with the Japanese prosper for three generations, while those who fought for independence suffer for three generations. Those who collaborated have inherited wealth and live in luxury, whereas the lives of independence activists were devastated, and their descendants were scattered and lived harsh lives without proper education. It is shameful that Yoon claims to be a citizen of the Republic of Korea in light of the independence patriots and their descendants."
Chairman Hong further estimated that the pro-Japanese collaborator descendant’s house posted by Yoon is presumed to be that of the grandson of Lee Hae-seung. According to the "Report on the Investigation of Pro-Japanese and Anti-National Acts" published by the Republic of Korea’s Committee for the Investigation of Pro-Japanese and Anti-National Acts in November 2009, Lee Hae-seung was awarded the title of Marquis, the highest rank available to Koreans at the time, by the Japanese government in October 1910, shortly after the Japanese colonial rule began.
Lee Hae-seung traveled to Japan as part of the Korean aristocratic delegation, representing Korean nobility to express gratitude to the Japanese Emperor, and also paid respects at the tomb of Ito Hirobumi, who was assassinated by independence activist An Jung-geun. In 1911, he received a large government bond (168,000 yen at the time) from the Japanese authorities, and in 1912, he was awarded the Korea-Japan Annexation Commemorative Medal as a person who contributed to pre-annexation Korea-Japan relations.
Chairman Hong emphasized, "He was a prominent pro-Japanese collaborator who engaged in numerous acts of treason, including serving as a council member of the Government-General’s largest external organization, the National Mobilization League of Joseon, participating as a founding member of the Joseon Patriotic Corps, the largest civilian wartime organization from 1940 to 1941, and in 1942, as president of the Joseon Aristocrats Association, personally delivering 10,000 yen each to the Japanese Army and Navy as national defense donations to the Governor-General of Korea."
He added, "Calling the descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators who oppressed our people and independence activists and inherited wealth accumulated through collaboration and treason as having 'lived a diligent life' is not merely a matter of historical interpretation. It goes beyond damaging the honor of independence patriots and their families and is tantamount to pro-Japanese and treasonous acts."
He further stated, "Yoon’s behavior is a serious criminal act that directly denies the legal legitimacy of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea established through the March 1st Movement and the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which proclaims Korea’s independent sovereignty. He must be severely punished."
He also called for the prompt enactment of legislation related to the "Eradication of Pro-Japanese and Anti-National Acts." Chairman Hong said, "Pro-Japanese and anti-national acts are not limited to the Japanese colonial period but are ongoing. We must no longer tolerate such criminal acts," adding, "To prevent the emergence of a second or third Yoon Seo-in, we must swiftly prepare legislation related to the eradication of pro-Japanese and anti-national acts."
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