'Acknowledgment of Pro-Japanese Collaborator' Ha Young's Mother's Remarks Spark Controversy: "There Wasn't Much Difference Between Keeping 200 Million Won in Cash and a Safe" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Amid controversy over actor Ha Young's great-grandfather An Sang-ho's pro-Japanese activities, remarks made by Ha Young's mother, Lee Mi-sook, CEO of Coremed, have drawn attention.

Recently, online discussions have revisited an interview Lee (CEO) gave to Digital Times in 2011.

In the interview, when asked about her future aspirations, Lee (CEO) said, "As I've lived my life, I realized money isn't everything. In the past, I was tempted by the desire to earn a lot of money, but not anymore."

She added, "I once kept 100 million won in cash in a safe for a long time. Having cash constantly in the safe made me feel unnecessarily full. The next time, I stored 200 million won, and from then on, there wasn't much difference."

She also stated, "I don't think money needs to be that abundant. A slightly comfortable lifestyle is enough. I no longer dream of striking it rich. I'm not even insisting on listing on KOSDAQ."

Born in 1953, Lee (CEO) majored in nursing and graduated from Busan Catholic University of Korea in 1975. She later studied industrial design at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts in Norway, graduating in 1981. Subsequently, she earned a master's degree from Inha University's Graduate School of Business in 1994.

From 1982 to 1997, Lee (CEO) worked as a lecturer for about 15 years, teaching design-related courses at several universities including Induk University, Kookmin University, Dongduk Women's University, and the University of Seoul. In the mid-1990s, she also built a career in media and publishing by serving as an editor for Christian Women's Times' monthly magazine on hospital management.

In 2003, Seol Rip-ha-go (CEO) became a director at Coremed Co., Ltd., a company specializing in total healthcare and comprehensive health management solutions.

Interest also focused on Lee (CEO)'s background in studying abroad. In the 1970s, when she went to Norway for her studies, it was extremely difficult for ordinary people to pursue long-term overseas education due to government restrictions on foreign study and foreign exchange issues.

Ha Young's family has come under intense scrutiny amid allegations that her great-grandfather was a pro-Japanese collaborator. Ha Young sparked controversy last week when she appeared on KBS 2TV's variety program 'Problem Children in the Attic' on the 7th, introducing herself as coming from a four-generation family of doctors.

It is reported that Ha Young's great-grandfather was An Sang-ho, a doctor with pro-Japanese activities, and her grandfather was Ahn Bu-ho, a doctor who worked on Jeju Island. The claim that Jeju Island, where Ahn Bu-ho served, was the site of human rights violations including sterilization, abortion, and dissection practice for Hansen's disease patients has resurfaced, further intensifying the controversy.

In response, Ha Young posted a handwritten apology on her social media on the 12th: "I sincerely apologize for causing great disappointment and pain to everyone with matters related to my great-grandfather. Recently, upon learning about my great-grandfather An Sang-ho's past actions, I have been reflecting on our family history with a heavy heart."

She continued, "Through stories passed down within the family, I only knew fragments of my great-grandfather's life. Regrettably, in that state of ignorance, I have brought up stories about him at various occasions as if they were family pride. Through this incident, while searching for relevant materials myself, I learned of my great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. I reflect on how I lightly mentioned our family history without properly understanding the painful period of Japanese colonial rule in Korea's history."

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*This content was translated by AI.