President Lee Vows to Punish Pro-Japanese Collaborators, Confiscate Assets

President Lee Jae-myung on Thursday vowed to punish those who betrayed the community for personal gain, emphasizing the need to hold collaborators with Japan accountable and confiscate their assets. Speaking at the 71st Memorial Day ceremony at Seoul National Cemetery, Lee stated that punishing traitors is as crucial a duty as honoring those who defended the nation.

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Punishing those who betrayed the community for personal gain is as crucial a duty as honoring those who defended the nation.

"We will definitely investigate and confiscate the improperly accumulated assets of pro-Japanese, anti-national collaborators to hold them responsible and set an example to prevent recurrence," Lee declared. He acknowledged the nation faces multiple crises, from internal division to the economic impact of Middle Eastern conflicts, but expressed firm belief in the Korean people's ability to unite and overcome any challenge.

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We will definitely investigate and confiscate the improperly accumulated assets of pro-Japanese, anti-national collaborators to hold them responsible and set an example to prevent recurrence.

Lee also stressed the importance of commensurate rewards for special sacrifices, stating, "If the sacrifices for all are ignored, who will step forward for the community in future crises?" He highlighted ongoing efforts to support veterans and their families, including legislative changes to expand compensation for descendants of independence activists and the provision of living support funds for surviving spouses of war veterans. The government is also expanding healthcare services for veterans through affiliated medical institutions and preparing to establish sub-veterans' hospitals in Gangwon and Jeju provinces.

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If the sacrifices for all are ignored, who will step forward for the community in future crises?

"We must show due respect not only to those who protected the past but also to the 'citizens in uniform' who protect the present," Lee added. He pledged government support to ensure these individuals can focus on their duties without hardship. The president concluded by vowing to work with the public to overcome crises and build a proud South Korea that honors the sacrifices of its heroes.

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We must show due respect not only to those who protected the past but also to the 'citizens in uniform' who protect the present.