[Dispatch=Lee Myung-joo] Actress Ha Young has apologized for her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities.

Ha Young posted a handwritten letter on social media on the 12th. "I sincerely apologize for causing great disappointment and hurt through matters related to my great-grandfather," she wrote.

She also asked for forgiveness for mentioning her family history without historical awareness. She acknowledged, "In my ignorance, I have spoken of my great-grandfather's story as if it were something to be proud of."

She only confirmed her great-grandfather's past record after the suspicions emerged. Ha Young said, "Through the process of researching materials, I learned of my great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities."

She added, "I believe that the fact I did not know cannot be a reason to turn away from or take that history lightly. As his descendant, I apologize."

She also expressed her commitment to studying history. "I will serve independence activists and all those who contributed to our country's liberation and well-being. I will practice this through action," she promised.

Ha Young recently discussed her family history on multiple entertainment programs. She mentioned that she comes from a family of doctors for four generations, including her older sister, and brought up her great-grandfather's medical history with Emperor Gojong.

While she did not directly mention her great-grandfather's name, after the broadcast, claims emerged that the doctor in question was Ahn Sang-ho, who was active during Japanese colonial rule. Pro-Japanese suspicions also surfaced.

Ahn Sang-ho was the first Korean to obtain a Japanese medical license. He later returned to Korea and opened the country's first Western-style medical clinic. As a commissioned physician, he also treated Korean kings.

Before the 1910 Annexation of Korea, he was active in organizations such as the Gwangmu Society. He also served as vice chairman of a medical research association organized to counter Japanese doctors. However, after the country was lost, his name appeared on the list of councilors of the pro-Japanese organization "Taisho Shinboku-kai."

Traces of Ahn Sang-ho can also be found in the Maeil Sinbo, the colonial government's official newspaper at the time. He married a Japanese woman and was introduced as an icon of assimilation between Japan and Korea.

Deokye Ongju, the youngest daughter of Emperor Gojong, is reported to have suspected that Ahn Sang-ho was involved in Gojong's death. However, the claim that Ahn Sang-ho was complicit in Gojong's assassination is not a confirmed fact. In particular, no decisive historical evidence has been found to prove that Ahn Sang-ho directly administered poison.

Meanwhile, the production teams of dramas in which Ha Young has appeared or is scheduled to appear are closely monitoring the situation. Netflix canceled the interview for "Such a Hateful Love." SBS also proceeded with final filming for "We Have a Winning Strategy" while taking a cautious stance.

<Below is the full text of Ha Young's handwritten letter>

This is Ha Young.

First, I sincerely apologize for causing great disappointment and hurt through matters related to my great-grandfather. As I learned of my great-grandfather Ahn Sang-ho's past activities, I have come to reflect heavily on my family's history.

Until now, I only had a fragmented understanding of my great-grandfather's life based on stories passed down through my family. Shamefully, in such ignorance, I spoke about my great-grandfather on several occasions as if it were a family source of pride.

Through this incident, in the process of directly researching related materials, I learned of my great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. I reflect on having lightly mentioned family history without properly understanding our country's history during the painful period of Japanese colonial rule.

Furthermore, when the controversy was first raised, I too did not accurately know the facts, and a statement of apology was released through my family. I believe my failure to confirm sufficiently before allowing incorrect statements to be conveyed was my own shortcoming. I sincerely apologize for the greater confusion and hurt this caused.

The matter is too grave, and I struggled personally with how to convey my apology. I apologize once again for the delayed statement.

I believe that the fact I did not know cannot serve as a reason to turn away from or take that history lightly. I will accept this wrongdoing with gravity and offer a sincere apology going forward. I am all the more sorry for having caused such controversy through my shortcomings at a time when happy events lie ahead.

I will take this matter painfully to heart. I will properly examine my family's history and that era, and going forward, I will adopt a more careful attitude in approaching history.

Furthermore, I will study our history with depth and do my best to serve with respect for independence activists and all those who devoted themselves to our country's liberation and well-being. Going forward, I will practice this through such action.

Once again, I sincerely apologize to all those who have been wounded.

Ha Young

<Photo=Dispatch DB>