On the Gapsul National Humiliation Day, 'Japan-Korea Annexation'.. Doctor father steps in for daughter Ha-young, sparking further controversy while trying to quell pro-Japan allegations [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Amid growing controversy over the pro-Japanese activities of Ha-young's great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho, her father conducted an interview with a media outlet to quell the allegations, but this interview has itself sparked further controversy.

On the 11th, Ha-young's father, referred to as Mr. A, gave an interview as the family representative through Daily Sports. Through the outlet, he stated, "We sincerely apologize for causing discomfort to many people regarding the emergence of allegations concerning my grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. Especially with the upcoming the 15th Liberation Day, given that this issue involves important history from the Japanese colonial period, all family members are taking this controversy very seriously." He also commented on the fact that Ahn Sang-ho, Ha-young's great-grandfather and Mr. A's grandfather, was listed as a councilor in the pro-Japanese organization Daejeong Business Friendship Association, saying, "As a descendant, I feel heavy-hearted about this."

At the same time, Mr. A explained the relationship between Ahn Sang-ho and Prince Uichin: "I understand Prince Uichin as a historical figure who strongly demonstrated his will to resist Japan. When my grandfather worked at Tokyo Zaiwa Medical School, he was in charge of treating Prince Uichin. He received an invitation from Prince Uichin to return home quickly and serve Korea, which led him to decide on returning to the country. Furthermore, since he always served Prince Uichin closely, I did not think my grandfather could be involved in pro-Japanese allegations." He added, "After the Japan-Korea Annexation, Japanese people organized the Keiseong Medical Society and took collective action. In response, Ahn Sang-ho gathered Korean doctors in 1915 to independently establish the Hansung Medical Society, serving as its first president. This organization later developed into today's Korean Medical Association."

Especially, the term "Japan-Korea Annexation" mentioned by Mr. A has become a point of contention.

August 29 marks the Gapsul National Humiliation Day, when the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty was forcibly signed and announced. The treaty stipulated that "the sovereignty of the Korean Empire was transferred to Japan."

"Gapsul National Humiliation ()" means national humiliation and is also referred to as "Loss of National Sovereignty ()." In contrast, Japan used terms such as "Japan-Korea Annexation ()" and "Japan-Korea Merger ()" to justify its own actions of infringing on Korea's sovereignty.

Earlier, on the 7th, Ha-young appeared on KBS 2TV's variety program "Problem Children in the Attic" to promote her work, revealing that she comes from a family of doctors for four generations. She stated, "My great-grandfather studied Western medicine in Japan and was the first doctor to open a clinic in Hanyang," adding that he even treated "Ko Jong (황제)." Following the broadcast, Ahn Sang-ho, known as Ha-young's great-grandfather, had his past activities re-examined online, sparking controversy.

Ahn Sang-ho graduated from Tokyo Zaiwa Medical School in 1902, returned to Korea, and taught Western medicine. He is known to have served as a member of the royal medical team. Records indicate that he was active in "Daejeong Friendship Association," an organization with pro-Japanese characteristics during the Japanese colonial period, married a Japanese woman, and lived a Japanese-style lifestyle. Additionally, records suggest he was introduced as a model family for "Japan-Korea Unity ()," which viewed Japan and Korea as one body, raising controversy surrounding his pro-Japanese activities.

Ha-young's agency issued a statement on the 10th regarding the related allegations, initially stating they were "baseless." However, within a day, the agency reversed its position, saying, "We confirmed that there is indeed a record of Mr. Ahn Sang-ho being listed as a councilor in the Daejeong Friendship Association in 1916. We sincerely apologize for causing confusion by hastily responding with 'baseless' without sufficient verification."

The agency further added, "Through this incident, we deeply realized how crucial careful verification is when conveying historical facts and an individual's biography to the public. Ha-young has also taken this matter to heart, and she will approach future situations with even greater caution and humility."

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*This content was translated by AI.