'Empire's Comfort Women' Author Park Yu-ha Slams Ha Young’s 'Pro-Japan Controversy': "It Was Created by an Obsession with Purity"

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Yu-ha, author of the controversial book "Empire's Comfort Women," which described Japanese military comfort women as being in a "fraternal relationship with Japanese soldiers," claimed that Ha Young’s pro-Japan controversy stems from an "obsession with being pro-Japanese."

Professor Park introduced Ha Young’s great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, on her social media service on the 11th as the first Korean to receive a government scholarship from the Korean Empire and the first Korean to study abroad under the Korean Empire, describing him as a talent cultivated by the Korean Empire.

She continued, "It is only natural that he became Emperor Sunjong’s personal physician after returning home, and such honor would have naturally come with it." She added, "He appears not to be someone who gained honor through pro-Japanese activities, but rather a pioneer in the medical field through his own abilities and state support."

Regarding the claim that he treated Yi Wan-yong, she stated, "It wasn't just Yi Wan-yong; even if it were an ordinary citizen, I would have wanted to be treated by him if possible. Is it acceptable for the actress in question to have Japanese blood? Does having mixed Japanese blood make one pro-Japanese or not? In any case, just looking at the Namu Wiki description shows that Ahn Sang-ho is not simply someone who can be labeled as pro-Japanese."

She also said, "His grandfather’s career on Jeju Island has even been criticized. While criticism is possible, I hope those who criticize do so after understanding the full extent of the issue. Although it is an act that deserves condemnation, this atrocity is not merely a personal crime but a sin created by the ignorance of the times." She added, "Anyone who held leadership positions in politics, economy, culture, and education during the Japanese colonial period could not have avoided being structurally classified as pro-Japanese, even down to activities within the Ministry of Education."

Professor Park remarked, "Those who criticize Ha Young may also have Japanese ancestors when you trace back far enough. Regardless of whether this is true or false, such imagination is necessary. Only then can you prevent your violence from killing a person mercilessly before it even begins. An obsession with purity creates all of this."

She further added, "Is it not contradictory that those who wish to deny even the fact of colonization are trying to find traces of colonization with eyes wide open? Whether it is a complex, an obsession, or paranoia, healing requires first embracing shame as one's own. To do so, one must face it properly."

Earlier, Ha Young sparked controversy by appearing on KBS 2TV’s variety program "Problem Children in the Attic," where she introduced herself as coming from a four-generation family of doctors tracing back to her great-grandfather. Following this, news that her great-grandfather was a doctor named Ahn Sang-ho emerged, leading to a flood of criticism regarding his pro-Japanese activities.

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*This content was translated by AI.