As South Korea approaches its 81st Liberation Day, the issue of "pro-Japanese liquidations"—recovering assets from those who collaborated with Japanese imperial rule—has moved back to the center of national discourse. This shift is fueled by a new, more powerful legal framework and a recent public controversy involving the family history of a prominent actor. 

The Return of the Investigation Committee

On June 2, 2026, the South Korean government announced the enactment of the "Special Act on the National Confiscation of Property of Pro-Japanese Collaborators". This legislation marks the revival of the Presidential Committee for the Investigation of Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Property, which had been dormant for 16 years since its initial operation ended in 2010. 

The new committee, scheduled to launch on December 3, 2026, will consist of nine members, including a chairperson and two standing commissioners. Its primary mandate is to identify and re-appropriate property acquired as a reward for collaboration during the colonial period (1910–1945).

Closing the Loophole: Recovery of "Disposed" Assets

The most significant change in the new law is the expansion of its reach. Under the previous regime, recovering assets that had already been sold or otherwise transferred was legally challenging. However, the new act explicitly defines the "proceeds of disposal" as subject to state confiscation. Even if the original property (such as land) is no longer in the hands of the descendants, the government can now reclaim the economic value derived from its sale. 

The Ministry of Justice has already established a preparatory team to ensure a seamless launch this winter. Officials emphasize that while this is a critical step in historical justice, the law includes safeguards to protect innocent third parties who acquired property through legitimate market transactions. 

The "Ha Young" Controversy

The public’s renewed interest in this issue was sparked by a controversy surrounding the actor Ha Young (real name Ahn Ha-young). While appearing on a popular talk show on August 7, Ha shared her pride in a family lineage that spanned four generations of medical professionals, mentioning that her great-grandfather, An Sang-ho, had been a physician who treated Emperor Gojong. 

Online scrutiny quickly linked the name to An Sang-ho (1872–1927), who was active during the colonial era. Records surfaced showing An's involvement in the Daejeong Friendship Association, an organization associated with pro-Japanese activities in 1916. Although Ha Young initially faced backlash for her comments, she issued a handwritten apology, admitting that she was "ashamed" for speaking of her ancestor with pride without full knowledge of his historical record. 

Experts note that while An Sang-ho's name appears in historical records regarding the association, he does not currently meet the strict criteria—such as consistency and frequency of collaborative acts—required to be officially designated as an "anti-national collaborator" in the national archives. 

Moving Forward

The revival of the committee and the new legislation signal a determined effort by the state to settle unresolved historical accounts. Beyond just asset recovery, the government plans to use the reclaimed funds to prioritize the welfare and dignity of independence activists and their surviving families. 

As the December launch date approaches, the committee’s work is expected to be closely watched, as it tests the limits of historical accountability in modern Korean society.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]