By Kim Tae-jong
A group of lawmakers, led by Rep. Chung Ok-im of the ruling Grand National Party, are seeking a bill to enforce the transfer of the remains of pro-Japanese collaborators from national cemeteries.
“I’ve submitted a bill to transfer the remains of pro-Japanese collaborators from the national cemeteries in Seoul and Daejeon,” Chung said. “It’s a move to help patriots rest in peace there.”
The lawmakers’ move comes as the Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs (MPVA) once again demanded the transfer of remains of pro-Japanese collaborators in time with Korea’s Memorial Day.
Ten pro-Japanese collaborators are still buried at the National Cemetery in Seoul and DaeJeon even after being stripped of their “status of patriot.”
There are also 10 graves of pro-Japanese collaborators in the cemeteries. Among them are Lee Jong-wook, Kim Hong-rang and Yoon Ik-sun, who were found to raise funds for World War II (1939-1945) during the Japanese colonial rule and joined various propaganda activities to force young Koreans to fight for Japan.