Re-examining the Enlightenment Spirit of Song Byeong-jun, a Pro-Japanese Figure

He pointed out that it is unfair to unduly label Ha Young's great-grandfather as pro-Japanese, even though he is not listed in the Pro-Japanese Collaborators' Dictionary.

Kim Yong-sam countered, "Which citizens would accept such a story as reality?" emphasizing that unsubstantiated claims are unlikely to gain public empathy.

Kim Yong-sam argued that rather than unconditionally condemning pro-Japanese figures, one should consider the historical circumstances of the time and their will for enlightenment. He emphasized the need to reinterpret the logic held by pro-Japanese figures through the case of Song Byeong-jun.

He stated, "It's not about unconditionally condemning them just because they were pro-Japanese; while wrongdoings are indeed wrong, we need to accurately look at the conditions of that era," urging for multifaceted analysis instead of uniform criticism.

He emphasized industrial development by advocating for seed improvement, reservoir construction, scientification of agriculture through factory establishment, and competition in the global market.

His arguments, which included planting trees in forests to prevent desolation, show an active will for reform to overcome Joseon's backward situation at the time. Kim Yong-sam assessed that Song Byeong-jun's ideas align with aspects of presidents Syngman Rhee's and Park Chung-hee's national reconstruction theories and the Saemaul Movement.

Kim Yong-sam quoted Song Byeong-jun's arguments, stating, "This person, Seong Byeong, said, 'Improve seeds to increase agricultural productivity, then dig reservoirs so that farming can be done even during rain, build factories, scientize agriculture, compete with the global market, and plant trees on mountains,'" emphasizing his reformative will.

Through this experience, Song Byeong-jun realized Joseon's social status limitations and embraced the enlightenment faction's idea that a new nation should be created by achieving modernization like Japan. This became a crucial turning point in his life.

Kim Yong-sam described Kim Ok-kyun's persuasion process, explaining the situation at the time: "'It's fine if I die, but before I die, please listen to my story.' And then Kim Ok-kyun persuaded Song Byeong-jun. 'Do you think Joseon will change if you kill me? Haven't you been greatly shocked by seeing Japan? Let's create a new country by modernizing like Japan.'"

Subsequently, in June 1908, he made an unprecedented leap to the position of Minister of Home Affairs, equivalent to today's Minister of Interior and Safety. This was an unimaginable rise to power under the strict class system of the time.

He sought to introduce improved agricultural seeds from Japan and enhance productivity through agricultural mechanization. He also aimed to revitalize distribution and logistics through railway construction and establish modern banks to facilitate the smooth circulation of funds.

Song Byeong-jun emphasized that for the common people to prosper, Joseon's industrial structure needed to be reorganized from agriculture-centric to commerce- and industry-centric. He argued that the people of Joseon should "shed their straw shoes and overcoats" and pursue modern lifestyles, proposing a comprehensive plan for the nation's overall modernization.

Kim Yong-sam explained Song Byeong-jun's concrete plans, stating, "He said, 'Let's attract Japanese capital, introduce improved agricultural seeds from Japan to increase our agricultural productivity. Then, let's build railways to revitalize distribution and logistics. Let's establish banks to ensure money circulates smoothly. We must restructure the industrial framework from agriculture to commerce and industry so our people can live well.'"

He emphasized the importance of forest protection, stating, "Bare mountains are a national disgrace. When forests are lush, agriculture thrives and raw materials for industry can be obtained."

Kim Yong-sam argued that Song Byeong-jun's forest policy was a precursor to the afforestation policies of the Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee governments, highly praising his modern vision.

He saw Japan defeat Russia with a million-strong army in the Russo-Japanese War and concluded that it was impossible for Joseon, with an army of less than 10,000, to fight Japan.

Ultimately, he reached the realistic conclusion that Joseon had no choice but to be incorporated as an integral part of Japan to become a prosperous nation. This understanding became a significant background for his pro-Japanese actions.

In this process, Song Byeong-jun also became involved in lucrative businesses such as military supply procurement and mining permits, leading to controversy.

Kim Yong-sam explained Song Byeong-jun's judgment at the time: "When I went and saw Japan, it was a country that organized a million-strong army and defeated Russia, so how could we, with an army of less than ten thousand, fight Japan? It's impossible. What's the solution? There's no choice but to incorporate Joseon as an integral part of Japan to make it a prosperous nation."

This acts as a dilemma, leading to a two-sided evaluation of his pro-Japanese actions and his drive for modernization.

His judgment that external capital was unavoidable for solving livelihood issues is analyzed as demonstrating the structural limitations that intellectuals of that era were bound to face.

In this situation, he believed that completely dismantling the Joseon system and implanting the system of a civilized nation like Japan was the way to save the people from poverty and discrimination.

Kim Yong-sam presented the rationale of pro-Japanese figures like Song Byeong-jun, stating, "They believed that completely overturning this system and transplanting the system of a civilized nation like Japan was the way to save the people from poverty and discrimination." He argued that they put forward the grand cause of national salvation through modern civilization.

He expressed concern that this approach could lead to a situation similar to the current political conflict in South Korea.

He warned, "North Korea's definition of a pro-Japanese collaborator is someone who opposes the establishment of a communist regime, labeling them as a pro-Japanese national traitor; if things continue this way in South Korea, a similar outcome will occur," criticizing the use of 'pro-Japanese' labels for political purposes.

Lee Yong-gu envisioned a united federation centered on Japan, aiming to maintain an equal standing with Japan, and later resisted Japan's unilateral annexation. In contrast, Song Byeong-jun's logic for annexation differed from Lee Yong-gu's.

Song Byeong-jun acknowledged the Joseon dynasty's incompetence and argued for pursuing practical benefits by being incorporated into Japan. He actively contributed to the Japan-Korea annexation, receiving titles and money, clearly showing his pro-Japanese actions.

Kim Yong-sam emphasized the difference between the two figures, stating, "Lee Yong-gu envisioned a united federation centered on Japan. But Song Byeong-jun's logic for annexation was different from Lee Yong-gu's. Song Byeong-jun was an undeniable pro-Japanese collaborator."

They seem to have held a somewhat naive belief that Japan would treat the people of Joseon as equal citizens.

However, Japan used Song Byeong-jun and Lee Yong-gu to annex the Korean Empire, and as a result, they effectively laid the red carpet for invasion under the pretext of 'civilization.' Kim Yong-sam assessed, "Japan simply swallowed the Korean Empire using Song Byeong-jun and Lee Yong-gu. In a way, Song Byeong-jun and Lee Yong-gu were the ones who rolled out the red carpet for invasion in the name of civilization."

Unlike Lee Wan-yong, who mainly held assets in cash, Song Byeong-jun owned assets primarily in real estate and concessions, whose value grew significantly due to rising property prices.

He also received a grant of 100,000 yen for his contributions to the Japan-Korea annexation. Subsequently, Song Byeong-jun's descendants filed lawsuits for the return of land, but the state proceeded with recovery measures based on a ruling that they were pro-Japanese assets.

He wrote that while a nation should make its people happy and perform basic functions like preventing epidemics, Joseon, far from protecting its people, was busy exploiting them like a vampire.

In this situation, Yun Chi-ho presented a choice from the perspective of the common people: whether to live under the tyrannical rule of their own kin, the Joseon dynasty, or under the civilized rule of a foreign people that would help improve their lives. He considered the people's right to survival and happiness as the nation's most important duty.

Kim Yong-sam explained Yun Chi-ho's agony, stating, "From the perspective of the common people, 'Would you rather be ruled by the tyrannical Joseon dynasty, even though they are your own kin, or be ruled by a foreign people who, though foreign, provide civilized rule and help improve the lives of the common people?' If there were only two options, what would the people of Joseon choose?"

Kim Yong-sam argued that when evaluating historical figures, one must consider the circumstances of their era, the information they had access to, and their level of understanding. He also emphasized the need to distinguish and judge a figure's 'purity'—whether their goal in aligning with Japan was for the benefit of the people or for personal gain.

In particular, he criticized King Gojong and his family for thoroughly aligning with Japan and selling out the nation for their own personal gain, asserting the need for a differential re-evaluation compared to other figures. This suggests the necessity for a complex evaluation of historical figures, going beyond uniform condemnation of pro-Japanese collaborators.