South Korean actress Ha Young sorry for controversy over ancestor’s pro-Japanese ties
A South Korean actress has apologised for the controversy surrounding her great-grandfather’s pro-Japanese ties during Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule, a day after calling the accusations “groundless”. “After further checking, we have confirmed that records of great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho being listed as a councillor of the Daejong Chinmokhoe in 1916 actually existed,” Anh Ha-young’s agency…
South Korean actress Ha Young Ha-young has apologized for the controversy surrounding her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese ties during Japan's colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. Her agency, Bistrus Entertainment, confirmed on Tuesday that records of Ahn Sang-ho being a councillor of the Daejong Chinmokhoe in 1916 were found to be authentic.
The pro-Japanese society, known as the Taisho Friendship Association, was formed in Seoul in 1916 and included prominent figures like Yi Wan-yong, one of the signatories of the 1905 Eulsa Treaty and the 1910 Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty. Ahn, who only uses her given name when acting, sparked controversy during a KBS show, stating her great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and opened the nation's first private Western clinic in Seoul.
This led to identification of Ahn Sang-ho as the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license in 1902, along with his pro-Japanese records from 1918. Japanese colonial rule remains a sensitive issue in South Korea, with unresolved disputes and strained diplomatic relations. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has been cautious about expanding military cooperation with Japan.
The incident highlights the high standards celebrities in South Korea face, especially when dealing with historical controversies.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
