Is Japan on Ha Young's side? .. "Why doesn't Korea forgive descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators?" Column appears [★NEWSing]

*This content was translated by AI.

Amid controversy over whether actor Ha Young (real name Ahn Ha-young) is a descendant of pro-Japanese collaborators, Japanese foreign media have offered critical perspectives on South Korea's historical awareness.

On the 12th, Japanese outlet JB Press published a column titled "Why Doesn't Korea Forgive 'Descendants of Pro-Japanese Collaborators'?"

The author of the column, Lee Jeong-seon, is reportedly from Busan and graduated from university in Japan before working as a journalist in South Korea.

The column pointed out that although Ha Young herself did not directly experience the Japanese colonial period, controversy has erupted over her great-grandfather's past actions. JB Press reported: "Ha Young herself did not experience the Japanese colonial period, nor has she ever met her great-grandfather, yet his past actions are being criticized." The outlet added: "In South Korea's entertainment industry, once someone becomes famous, their own past, as well as those of their parents and ancestors, gets exposed."

The media also cited cases involving Kang Dong-won and Lee Ji-a, who were previously embroiled in pro-Japanese collaboration controversies, highlighting the atmosphere in Korean society where investigations into entertainers' families and ancestors often lead to public disputes.

In particular, JB Press raised concerns about South Korea's societal tendency to hold descendants accountable for their ancestors' pro-Japanese actions. The outlet noted: "What South Korea should be wary of is not forgetting history, but rather the reality that history has become a tool for judging people living in the present."

Meanwhile, Ha Young recently introduced on KBS 2TV's variety program "Problem Children Are Here!" that she comes from a family of doctors spanning four generations. Following this revelation, speculation spread across online communities that her great-grandfather was Ahn Sang-ho (1872–1927), and his past actions were re-examined, leading to suspicions of pro-Japanese collaboration.

In response, Ha Young posted a handwritten apology on her personal account. She stated: "Through this incident, I personally searched for relevant materials and learned about my great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. I believe that the fact that I was unaware does not justify ignoring or downplaying this history. I take this mistake seriously and sincerely apologize as his descendant."

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*This content was translated by AI.