hankyoreh

By Hwang Chun-hwa

The Appeal Court ruled Jan. 12 that Bang Eung-mo, former president of the Chosun Ilbo, contributed to Japan’s colonial rule in Korea by writing letters requesting military collaboration. This ruling upholds a decision by the lower court that had been appealed by Bang’s family.

The 14th Civil Division of the Seoul High Court ruled against Bang Woo-young, the honorary president of South Korea’s largest conservative paper, who is the grandson of the former president, in a lawsuit appealing the Ministry of Public Administration and Security’s indictment of his grandfather’s pro-Japanese actions. The court said that two treasonous actions among the three requested for reconsideration violated the Special Law for investigating treasonous actions during the Japanese Colonization.

The Court claimed, “Considering his social status, he had the responsibility to show ethnic leadership. And as an ethnic group that has experience with pain, we need to reflect on our history. These insights led to the conclusion that Bang’s actions may well be considered treasonous actions defined by the Special Law.”

In the first and second trials, the Court recognized that Bang had engaged in treasonous deeds by collaborating in Japan’s colonial rule over Korea through broadcasting, public speeches and writing editorials. In 2009, the Investigation Committee for Anti-Patriotic Actions branded him as a pro-Japan collaborator. His family filed a lawsuit against their decision.

(Translated by Kim Min-ji, Intern)

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