Ha Young, controversy over her great-grandfather's collaboration with Japan continues despite explanation.. Gwanghae assassination theory → model for 'Ilseon Donghwa' [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite Ha Young's explanation, controversy over allegations regarding her great-grandfather's collaboration with Japan continues to grow.

Recently, Ha Young introduced her family background as a "fourth-generation medical family" on various variety shows, including KBS 2TV's "Problem Children Are Here."

On the broadcast, Ha Young stated, "As far as I remember, my great-grandfather was one of the first to open Western medicine in Hanyang at that time. After studying medicine in Japan, he opened the first clinic in Hanyang and treated patients with Ko Jong (황제)."

Following this, speculation spread on online communities that Ha Young's great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho (1872–1927), and his past actions were re-examined, leading to allegations of collaboration with Japan.

Ahn Sang-ho graduated from the Tokyo Keiai Medical School in June 1902, becoming the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license. There are also records indicating that when Emperor Gojong collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage at Hanyangjeon in Deoksugung Palace in January 1919, he, then the royal physician, treated him alongside the Japanese doctor Moriyasu.

According to the Comprehensive Information System for Korean Historical Figures, Ahn Sang-ho was falsely accused of poisoning Emperor Gojong at the instigation of a Japanese person and suffered greatly for some time. It is reported that the truth remains unclear due to insufficient historical records.

In particular, according to a paper published in the academic journal "Studies on Korean National Movement History," Ahn Sang-ho was listed as a councilor of the pro-Japanese organization Daejeong Chinmukhoe (Daejeong Industrial Friendship Association), established on November 29, 1916. The paper noted that Ahn Sang-ho, a successful doctor married to a Japanese woman, was cited as a model case for "Ilseon Donghwa" (assimilation of Koreans and Japanese) at the time, which drew strong resentment from Koreans.

However, it has been confirmed that Ahn Sang-ho's name does not appear on the list in the "Dictionary of Collaborators with Japan," compiled by the Institute for Joint Research on Colonial Collaboration in 2009.

Thus, following Ha Young's remarks, not only her great-grandfather but also her family history has been repeatedly subjected to public scrutiny. Her grandfather was An Bu-ho (Prof.), a medical scholar who laid the foundation for modern Korean medicine and clinical pathology and devoted his life to the treatment and research of Hansen's disease (leprosy) patients. Her father, An Byeong-mun (Director), is believed to have been born on Sorokdo Island while working at his grandfather's hospital there.

A representative of Ha Young's agency told StarNews, "It is true that Ha Young's great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho," but regarding the allegations of collaboration with Japan raised online, they added, "There are parts that do not match the facts. We will compile detailed information and plan to release a formal statement as soon as possible."

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*This content was translated by AI.