The National Institute of Korean History has responded to the controversy surrounding Ha Young's ancestor, Ahn Sang-ho, stating that his pro-Japanese activities are evident and calling for historical reflection and accountability. The institute clarified that the absence of Ahn's name from the pro-Japanese dictionary does not negate or absolve his pro-Japanese actions.
In a statement released on the 14th, the institute emphasized, "The fact that he is not listed in the pro-Japanese dictionary does not mean he had no pro-Japanese activities." The National Institute of Korean History is a civic organization that published the pro-Japanese dictionary in 2009.
The institute explained that it issued the statement in response to growing media and online discussions regarding Ahn's pro-Japanese actions and the behavior of his descendants, following requests from citizens and members for clarification of the facts as a specialized research institution on the Japanese colonial period.
According to the institute, Ahn Sang-ho, a physician who graduated from the Imperial Japanese Government's Language School and the Tokyo Medical School, participated in the National Mourning Association organized by civilians in 1909 to commemorate Ito Hirobumi. He later served as a member of the Kyungsung City Council (1914, 1918, 1920) and as the head of the Kyungsung Jongno Financial Association (1922-1927), engaging with colonial governance and exploitation organizations. He was also recorded as a council member of the pro-Japanese organization Daejeong Chinhokhoe (1916) and Dongminhoe (1925-1927).
The institute further noted that the Chosun Governor-General's official newspaper, Maeil Sinbo, reported on December 10, 1918, that Ahn stated, "I do not own a single Korean outfit and am just like a Japanese person," and "I have no connection with Koreans," portraying him as a representative figure who fully internalized Japan's assimilation policies.
Regarding Ahn's membership in the Daejeong Chinhokhoe, the institute classified it as an "undeniable pro-Japanese act." It explained, "Daejeong Chinhokhoe was formed around prominent pro-Japanese figures such as Lee Wan-yong and Min Yeong-hwi, and functioned as a collaborative organization promoting the legitimacy of colonial rule around the time of the March 1st Movement."
The institute also refuted claims made by some broadcasters that the pro-Japanese dictionary excluded all professionals, stating that the 2009 dictionary included 4,389 individuals, while the 708 mentioned were from a separate list published in 2002 by the Korean Liberation Association and a group of National Assembly members.
The institute clarified, "Ahn Sang-ho was not included in the dictionary at the time of its publication in 2009 due to insufficient evidence based on the accumulated materials, but this matter will be subject to further verification through future revised editions if new materials are confirmed."
However, the institute emphasized that the essence of the current controversy lies not in the fact that the actor is a descendant of a pro-Japanese figure, but in the lack of historical reflection in their statements. It drew a line against collective blame towards descendants, stating, "When the discussion is blocked by a single sentence that collective blame should not occur, the most significant loss is to the agenda of resolving pro-Japanese issues."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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