"Ha Young's great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho was clearly pro-Japanese... However, 'condemnation of descendants' cannot be justified," the Center for Historical Truth and Justice responded

/ Photo = Captured from Ha Young's Instagram [Financial News] The Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities stated regarding the controversy surrounding actress Ha Young (Ahn Ha-young, 33)'s great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, that while "his pro-Japanese activities are undeniable," holding the descendants responsible cannot be justified.

" “A humble reflection on the attitude of glorifying without introspection or consuming without criticism must precede,” the institute emphasized.
The institute defined the Taisho Friendship Association, where Ahn Sang-ho was listed as a council member, as a clearly pro-Japanese organization formed around prominent pro-Japanese figures such as Yi Wan-yong and Min Young-hwi, advocating the Japanese imperialist policy of "internal harmony between Japan and Korea.
" Along with this, they cited Ahn Sang-ho’s participation as a preparatory committee member for the "National Grand Memorial Service" organized in 1909 to mourn Ito Hirobumi, as well as his history of activity in organizations such as the Gyeongseong Municipal Council and the Dongminhoe, as evidence. Regarding the argument that it is difficult to view Ahn Sang-ho as a pro-Japanese collaborator because he is not listed in the "Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators," the institute countered, "Inclusion was withheld because he failed to meet the selection criteria at the time of publication," adding that "non-inclusion cannot serve as an absolution.
" At the same time, stating that "the project to record past history is not a completed outcome, but an ongoing academic endeavor continued through the discovery and verification of historical materials," he emphasized that academic verification must continue based on newly confirmed primary sources. "Criticism raised regarding remarks made without even minimal historical reflection on ancestors' pro-Japanese activities" This controversy began when Ha-young, the great-granddaughter of Ahn Sang-ho, introduced herself as coming from a family of doctors spanning four generations on the KBS 2TV variety show 'Problem Child in the Rooftop' which aired on the 7th.

Subsequently, suspicions of pro-Japanese collaboration arose as it was revealed that her great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho, who was active as a doctor during the Japanese colonial period. Initially, Ha-young's agency issued a statement denying the allegations as "groundless," but later corrected its position and apologized, stating that it had confirmed records showing Ahn Sang-ho's name appeared on the list of council members for the Taisho Friendship Association in 1916, an organization considered to have pro-Japanese characteristics.
The fallout has also spread to the advertising industry.
Samsung Electronics and clothing brand Artid have switched the advertisement video featuring Hayoung as a model to private. Nevertheless, as the controversy continued, Hayoung apologized on the 12th through a handwritten letter, stating, "I sincerely apologize as a descendant," and adding, "I am even more apologetic for causing a disturbance due to my shortcomings at a time when Liberation Day is approaching.
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