Gangster-Turned-Pro-Japanese Politician Becomes Japanese Lawmaker

Park Chun-geum, who began his life in Japan as a migrant laborer, rose to prominence through organized crime. In 1920, he founded the Sanggu-hoe in Tokyo, ostensibly to protect Korean laborers. This group later rebranded as Sang-ae-hoe in 1921. However, its activities allegedly included colluding with Japanese employers to terrorize Korean workers during labor disputes, functioning as a proto-thug squad.

Following the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, Park organized labor brigades to clear debris and assist in identifying Koreans, actions that endeared him to Japanese right-wing figures and officials. His influence grew, leading him to enter Japanese politics. He successfully ran for a seat in the Imperial Diet, advocating for both Korean suffrage and the inclusion of Koreans in the Japanese military.

During the 1940s, Park actively supported Japan's wartime agenda. In June 1945, he formed the Great Party (Daedangdang) with plans to eliminate Koreans who opposed the war. He also organized a pro-Japanese event in Seoul, which was disrupted by a bombing. Despite the attack, Park survived and continued his activities.

After Japan's defeat in August 1945, Park fled to Japan. Although attempts were made to bring him to justice by the post-war anti-collaboration committee, they were unsuccessful. He lived a prosperous life within the Korean diaspora community in Japan until his death in 1973. His remains were secretly brought back to Korea and buried, a fact that was only revealed in 1992, leading to public outcry and the exhumation of his body in 2002. Despite this, his descendants inherited and later sold valuable real estate in Seoul.