Hwang Young bows head.. Historian Sim Yong-hwan: "Caution needed in labeling Ahn Sang-ho as a pro-Japanese collaborator" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

While actress Hwang Young has apologized over controversies regarding the pro-Japanese activities of her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho, historian Sim Yong-hwan reiterated his stance that it is necessary to exercise caution in immediately labeling Ahn Sang-ho as a "pro-Japanese collaborator."

On the 13th, Sim Yong-hwan shared on his social media: "I have personally received significant criticism and observed various perspectives and debates. I intended to share additional information once the situation stabilized somewhat, but given that excessive misunderstandings, insults, and even harm to those around me have spread, I have decided after much deliberation to respond."

He began by stating, "It seems the core of the anger lies in the belief that simply being a member of the 'Daejeong Friendship Association,' a pro-Japanese organization, is sufficient to label someone a pro-Japanese collaborator, and that there is clear evidence from a Maeil Shinbo report."

He further explained that there is no disagreement regarding the Daejeong Friendship Association being a pro-Japanese group. Sim Yong-hwan noted, "The Daejeong Friendship Association is indeed a pro-Japanese organization and is very familiar to historians," citing related research such as Jang Shin's "Daejeong Friendship Association and the Korea-Japan Fusion Movement" and "The Founding and Operation of Chosun Ilbo by the Daejeong Friendship Association in the 1920s."

He particularly pointed out that Ahn Sang-ho's name appears six times in the first paper. According to the paper, Ahn Sang-ho was registered as one of 21 council members of the Daejeong Friendship Association in November 1916 but later disappeared from the list. Sim Yong-hwan remarked, "The author's explanation is also brief," adding, "There were five medical professionals including Ahn Sang-ho, and the description regarding Ahn Sang-ho only states that he was a former physician to Emperor Gojong and operated the Ahn Sang-ho Clinic. This constitutes the entirety of the content currently presented in the paper."

He also explained that other research on Ahn Sang-ho predominantly offers positive evaluations of his medical activities. He stated, "In Lee Jung-eun's paper, most of the content describes his positive contributions to early modern medical institutional development, including his medical service during widespread epidemics as an imperial court physician and his role as a founder of Chaje Hospital."

However, he added that records also indicate Ahn Sang-ho married a Japanese woman and faced public backlash among Koreans at the time due to the Maeil Shinbo report. Based on this, Sim Yong-hwan concluded that it is entirely possible Ahn Sang-ho complied with colonial rule and colluded with Japan to some extent.

He wrote, "With this level of evidence, one could conclude 'he was indeed a pro-Japanese collaborator,' but after examining from multiple angles, it appears he complied with colonial rule and was proactive in spreading modern medicine, while moderately colluding with Japan in other areas to enjoy prosperity."

Nevertheless, he emphasized, "The issue is that regarding research on the Daejeong Friendship Association, his pro-Japanese activities are limited to only his initial membership in what was then a 'friendship organization' and fragmented records from the later years of his life requiring more thorough review. Making definitive conclusions based on this may help gain public favor by aligning with current trends, but it is academically absolutely incorrect."

Sim Yong-hwan also cited the intent of the 1949 Law for the Punishment of Collaborators as a basis for his judgment. He noted that the law specifically targeted leaders and executives of organizations obstructing independence, leading figures in Japanese state-sponsored organizations, and those who maliciously flattered Japan to harm the nation, explaining, "It explicitly emphasizes terms like 'leaders,' 'leading actions,' and 'malicious acts.'"

He further stated, "The approach was to firmly punish active collaborators with Japan, while for others or even those who committed crimes but showed remorse, impose punishments commensurate with their level of repentance," thereby expressing the view that not only membership status but also the degree and nature of pro-Japanese actions must be examined together.

Sim Yong-hwan announced that two additional issues must be clarified to determine Ahn Sang-ho's involvement in pro-Japanese activities. He stated, "First, whether mere inclusion on the Daejeong Friendship Association list justifies labeling someone a pro-Japanese collaborator; second, whether Ahn Sang-ho committed crimes worthy of historical condemnation."

He also remarked, "Currently, his name is absent from the Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators, and research results are at the level described above. I believe this matter should be decided through additional research by scholars, consensus among relevant experts, and national communication regarding the outcomes."

Finally, Sim Yong-hwan apologized for causing misunderstandings and discomfort with his previous remarks. He said, "I consider it my moral failing that my words caused misunderstanding and feelings of insult, and I will reflect more deeply on this and strive to improve," while adding, "Regarding the issue of pro-Japanese collaborators, I hope we deliberate further and move forward in a direction that achieves more certain historical progress."

Meanwhile, Hwang Young posted a handwritten apology letter regarding her great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho's past actions on her social media on the 12th. She stated, "Until now, I only knew fragments of my great-grandfather's life through stories passed down by family members. Regrettably, in my ignorance, I have brought up his story on various occasions as if it were a family boast."

She continued, "Through this incident, while directly searching for relevant materials, I learned about my great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. I believe that the fact I was unaware of this cannot be an excuse to ignore or trivialize this history. I accept this fault heavily and sincerely apologize as a descendant."

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*This content was translated by AI.