Ha Young's agency confirms great-grandfather's role in pro-Japanese group, apologizes

The agency representing actress Ha Young has issued an official statement confirming that her great-grandfather was indeed a councilor for a pro-Japanese organization. This admission comes after initial denials from the agency regarding allegations of her ancestor's collaborationist activities during the Japanese colonial period. In their updated statement, Ha Young's management, Visters Entertainment, acknowledged that further verification revealed historical records confirming her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, was listed as a councilor in the 'Daejeong Chinmokhoe' (Great Japan Friendship Association) in 1916. The agency expressed sincere apologies for their previous assertion that the claims were 'baseless' and for any distress caused by the delayed confirmation. They stated that they had insufficient verification before making their initial response. The controversy centers on Ahn Sang-ho's alleged involvement with organizations that supported Japanese rule in Korea. The agency's revised stance indicates a shift from outright denial to acknowledging the historical evidence, offering a formal apology to address the public concern and the accuracy of the information.