Japanese media outlets are closely following the controversy surrounding actress Ha Young’s great-grandfather, An Sang Ho, and allegations that he was a pro-Japanese collaborator.
The issue emerged after Ha Young introduced him on television as Seoul’s first Western-trained doctor who studied in Japan. Some Japanese outlets have since used the controversy to examine how deeply the label “pro-Japanese” still resonates in South Korea.
Professor Kamoshika Hiromi, a guest commentator for Fuji TV, addressed the issue in a column titled “The Heavy Meaning of ‘Pro-Japanese’ in Korea.”
“In Korea, there is a saying that ‘three generations suffer if you join the independence movement, while three generations prosper if you collaborate with Japan,'” Hiromi wrote. “So when suspicions of pro-Japanese activities are raised about the ancestor of someone who has become socially successful, people can easily begin to wonder whether their descendants also prospered because of it.”
While stressing the importance of remembering history, Hiromi argued that removing Ha Young’s programs and advertisements over allegations involving her great-grandfather amounted to “a modern form of guilt by association.”
Conservative outlet JBpress similarly asked, “Why Won’t Korea Forgive the Descendants of Pro-Japan Collaborators?” It cited resentment over wealth accumulated by collaborators being passed down through generations and argued that Korean celebrities often face scrutiny extending to their families and ancestors.
The outlet also pointed to past controversies involving Kang Dong Won and E Jiah, warning against judging people today for the actions of their ancestors.
The reports, however, did not address lingering anger in Korea over the country’s incomplete efforts to punish collaborators after liberation, including the collapse of the Special Investigation Committee of Anti-National Activities.
Reactions among Japanese internet users were largely sympathetic toward Ha Young, with comments such as “Korea is a country of guilt by association,” “I feel sorry for her” and “She should work in Japan.”
Others, however, urged Japanese readers to consider the issue from a Korean perspective, noting that “the emotions Koreans associate with the term ‘pro-Japan collaborator’ are different from how they feel about Japan today.”
>> Ha Young Breaks Silence and Once Again Apologizes Over Family History Controversy
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