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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

'Pro-Japanese controversy' Ha Young: 'As a descendant, I sincerely apologize... I will study history'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Actress Ha Young has apologized for the controversy surrounding her great-grandfather's alleged collaboration with Japanese imperialists.
  • She expressed deep remorse as a descendant and acknowledged her previous ignorance about his past actions.
  • Ha Young stated she will study history more thoroughly and approach discussions about her family's past with greater caution.

Actress Ha Young has issued a public apology for the controversy surrounding her great-grandfather's alleged collaboration with Japanese imperialists during the colonial era. In a handwritten apology posted on her Instagram, Ha Young expressed deep remorse as a descendant, stating, "I bow my head and apologize for causing great disappointment and hurt due to matters related to my great-grandfather."

I bow my head and apologize for causing great disappointment and hurt due to matters related to my great-grandfather.

— Ha YoungExpressing remorse for the controversy surrounding her family history.

Ha Young explained that she had only known fragmented stories about her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, passed down through her family. She admitted to having spoken about him in public settings as a source of family pride without fully understanding his history. "I regret that I carelessly mentioned my great-grandfather's stories in various settings in my ignorant state," she wrote.

I regret that I carelessly mentioned my great-grandfather's stories in various settings in my ignorant state.

— Ha YoungAcknowledging her past lack of awareness about her great-grandfather's actions.

Upon researching the matter further, Ha Young discovered her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. She reflected, "I apologize sincerely as a descendant for accepting his transgressions heavily." She acknowledged that her lack of knowledge does not excuse her previous actions or diminish the historical significance of that painful period in Korean history.

I apologize sincerely as a descendant for accepting his transgressions heavily.

— Ha YoungTaking responsibility for her great-grandfather's alleged pro-Japanese activities.

Moving forward, Ha Young pledged to delve deeper into her family's history and the era itself. "I will look into my family's history and that era more closely and maintain a more cautious attitude towards history," she stated. She also committed to honoring the contributions of independence activists and those who worked for Korea's liberation and well-being.

I will look into my family's history and that era more closely and maintain a more cautious attitude towards history.

— Ha YoungPledging to educate herself further on historical matters.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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