The Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators documents figures involved in collaboration with Japanese colonial rule in Korea and reflects on the historical context and implications of their actions.
The article discusses a meeting held at the Colonial History Museum in Yongsan, Seoul, where Han Sang-gwon, the chairman of the third dictionary editorial committee, shared the legacy of historian Im Jong-guk's work on pro-Japanese collaborators. Im's meticulous documentation detailed the names and actions of around 13,000 collaborators, stemming from personal pain as he discovered his father's involvement in pro-Japanese activities. This revelation motivated Im to compile these records, which ultimately laid the foundation for the 'Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators'.
Following the establishment of the National Research Institute of Korean History in 1991, efforts surged to officially create this dictionary, resulting in opposition from former collaborators' descendants and legal battles. Despite obstacles, widespread public support emerged in 1999, leading to the formal establishment of the editing committee in 2001. By 2009, the dictionary was finalized, listing 4,389 individuals engaged in collaboration, including Im’s own father, marking an important step in addressing historical injustices in South Korea.
The process of documenting these collaborators is positioned in contrast to international efforts post-World War II where states led reconciliations. The article emphasizes the unique path South Korea took, and how civil society played a critical role in addressing pro-Japanese collaboration, highlighting the ongoing relevance and evolution of the dictionary as new historical contexts arise. The article also reinforces the value of commemorating historical justice through UNESCO recognition of the dictionary as documentary heritage.
