Legacy of a Pro-Japanese Figure: land Sales and a Controversial Inheritance

The great-grandson of Lee Wan-yong, a figure synonymous with collaboration during the Japanese colonial era, has reportedly sold a notable parcel of land in Seoul and subsequently relocated to Canada. This action has reignited discussions surrounding the complexities of ancestral land, past injustices, and the ongoing impact of the colonial period.

Details of the Land Transaction

Lee yun-hyung, Lee Wan-yong’s great-grandson, reportedly sold 2,354 square meters (approximately 712 pyeong, a traditional Korean unit of area) of land located in the Buk-A-Hyun District 2 of Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The sale, involving properties designated as 545, 546, and 608 in North Korea, occurred after the land was initially returned to the state post-liberation and later reclaimed through a lawsuit filed by Lee’s descendants, claiming ancestral rights.

Estimates suggest the sale generated approximately 3 billion won, based on a land price of around 4.5 million won per 3.3 square meters. This transaction highlights the ongoing financial implications of historical land ownership, especially in rapidly developing urban areas like Seoul.

Historical Context: Lee wan-yong’s Vast Land Holdings

A report by the pro-Japanese property inquiry committee revealed that Lee Wan-yong’s real estate holdings during the Japanese colonial rule amounted to a staggering 2,233,954 square meters (676,168 pyeong) nationwide. While Lee Wan-yong reportedly liquidated much of this land before liberation, some of the returned properties were later reclaimed by his descendants through legal challenges.

The real estate returned by the investigation committee was only 1928㎡ (about 3300 pyeong), which is only 0.05%.

This figure underscores the limited success of efforts to reclaim assets acquired through collaboration during the colonial period. The complexities of land ownership and legal processes have often favored descendants, even when the original acquisition was ethically questionable.

Redevelopment and Modernization: A Changing Landscape

The land in question is now part of the buk-A-Hyun District 2 redevelopment project, slated to become a large apartment complex consisting of 28 buildings, ranging from 3 to 29 floors, and housing a total of 2,320 households. This transformation reflects the rapid urbanization and redevelopment occurring in Seoul, where older neighborhoods are being replaced with modern residential complexes.

The Northern New Town project, encompassing five zones, has already seen the completion and occupancy of three zones, further illustrating the scale of urban renewal in the area. This redevelopment, while modernizing the city, also raises questions about the preservation of historical sites and the equitable distribution of benefits from increased property values.

Ethical Considerations and the Legacy of Collaboration

The sale of this land and the subsequent relocation of Lee Wan-yong’s descendant to Canada have sparked renewed debate about the ethical implications of inheriting wealth derived from collaboration with colonial powers. While legal rights may exist, the moral dimensions of profiting from a legacy built on historical injustices remain a contentious issue in South Korean society.The case serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of the colonial period and the ongoing need for reconciliation and historical accountability.