Ha Young, facing great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities controversy, apologizes in handwritten letter: 'As a descendant, I sincerely apologize'

South Korean actress Ha Young has issued a handwritten apology regarding the controversy surrounding her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho's, collaborationist activities during Japan's colonial rule.

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I bow my head and apologize for the great disappointment and hurt caused by matters related to my great-grandfather.

"I bow my head and apologize for the great disappointment and hurt caused by matters related to my great-grandfather," Ha Young stated in her apology. She explained that she had only known fragmented stories about her great-grandfather's life through her family. Embarrassingly, she had spoken about him in various settings as a source of family pride, unaware of the full historical context.

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Embarrassingly, I had spoken about him in various settings as a source of family pride, unaware of the full historical context.

Ha Young revealed that upon learning about his pro-Japanese actions through research, she felt ashamed. She reflected on her past remarks, admitting she had lightly mentioned her family history without a proper understanding of Korea's painful past under Japanese occupation. She also addressed the initial response from her agency, which had stated the allegations were groundless without sufficient verification. Ha Young acknowledged this as her own failing, leading to further confusion and hurt.

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The fact that I was unaware cannot be a reason to ignore or trivialize that history. I accept those past mistakes heavily and, as a descendant, sincerely apologize.

"The fact that I was unaware cannot be a reason to ignore or trivialize that history," she wrote. "I accept those past mistakes heavily and, as a descendant, sincerely apologize." She expressed particular regret for causing trouble so close to Liberation Day and vowed to study the history of the era more deeply and adopt a more cautious approach to historical matters in the future. Ha Young concluded by promising to honor independence activists and all those who worked for Korea's liberation and well-being, not just with words but with actions.

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I promise to study the history of the era more deeply and adopt a more cautious approach to historical matters in the future.