In Response to Claims That 150 Billion Won in Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Assets Remain Unrecovered, President Lee Orders Separate Review

President Lee Orders Review of Unrecovered Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Assets
Calls for Efficient Use of Government-Owned Properties
Urges Sweeping Mergers and Closures of Public Institutions

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee Jaemyung, upon hearing claims that 150 billion won worth of pro-Japanese collaborators' assets have not yet been recovered, instructed his aides to "look into this matter separately."

On August 13, President Lee presided over a 'National Fiscal Savings Meeting' at the Yongsan presidential office. During the meeting, Jung Changsoo, head of the Nara Salim Research Institute, told President Lee, "The day after tomorrow is Liberation Day, yet 150 billion won in pro-Japanese collaborators' assets still have not been recovered," adding, "It is being assessed that the previous administration made only passive efforts in this regard."

Jung further emphasized, "It is necessary to recover these assets to help those who made sacrifices." He argued that reclaiming the assets of pro-Japanese collaborators could be used to fund veterans' benefits. In response, President Lee said, "Since there are discussions about recovering pro-Japanese collaborators' assets, please look into it separately," and instructed, "Once you have checked, report back to me."

There were also criticisms regarding government ministries' ownership of golf courses. Jung pointed out, "I believe the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has not sold the 88 Golf Course for ten years," and added, "I think it would be much more efficient to sell it quickly and use the proceeds for the veterans' fund." When Policy Chief Kim Yongbeom reported that other ministries also own several golf courses, President Lee remarked, "It is questionable for the government to hold such assets with public funds."

Additionally, regarding public institutions, President Lee stated, "I think we need to consider consolidations and closures," and pointed out, "There are so many that I cannot even count them." He instructed Policy Chief Kim Yongbeom, "Carry out a large-scale restructuring."