By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Descendents of Yoon Seon-do (1587-1671), a literary figure in the Joseon Kingdom, have been allowed to keep real estate in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, as a state agency dropped its bid to confiscate the land citing that it was given to them in return for their pro-Japanese activities during the colonial period.
The property is valued at 2.3 billion won.
The Investigative Commission on Pro-Japanese Collaborators’ Property on Tuesday withdrew its decision to investigate how Yoon Jeong-hyun (1882-1950), a descendent of the poet who worked at a senior post in the colonial government of Japan, had gained ownership of the 1.5 million square-meter land in Haenam.
Yoon worked as an advisor for the Japanese pro-consul between 1926 and 1929. It was widely speculated that he received the property in return for switching loyalties.
“However, we have failed to establish that Yoon took it by taking advantage of his position,” the commission said.
In accordance with the agency’s advice, the 94,000 square meter property was confiscated from Yoon’s descendants with its ownership reverted to the government.
The property included the old mansion of Yoon Seon-do, who is hailed as a “jewel of the poets” in the Honam areas in the southwestern peninsula.
The county office of Haenam is establishing a museum honoring Yoon Seon-do with his belongings and artworks on display. The descendant, a grandson of Yoon Jeong-hyun, denied that the real estate was acquired through “shameful routes.”
“My grandfather bought it with his own money and his working for the Japanese government had nothing to do with the purchase. In fact, he was forced to work for them,” he was quoted as saying.
The commission’s decision is a landmark ruling because many descendents of noted people accused of collaborating for the imperial Japan had their inheritances confiscated. About 90 percent of such decisions, however, have been appealed without success.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
