Celebrity

Lee Ji-ah Speaks Out on Grandfather’s Pro-Japanese Controversy

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On February 21, Lee Ji-ah, through her agency BH Entertainment, addressed the controversy surrounding her grandfather’s pro-Japanese actions, stating, “I have been cautious for a long time, contemplating this matter, but I now believe it is my responsibility to set the record straight. Though it is difficult, I have gathered the courage to speak up.”

She clarified her personal situation, saying, “Since becoming independent at 18, I have not received financial support from my parents and have been estranged from them for over 10 years. I am not involved in the property disputes or lawsuits related to this issue.”

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Lee Ji-ah shared that she first learned about the controversy in 2011 and took steps to verify the facts by visiting the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities. “Through this process, I confirmed my grandfather’s contributions, which cannot be justified, regardless of the historical context. If the land in Anyang, central to this controversy, was acquired during the Japanese colonial period, it should be returned to the state.”

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She concluded with a heartfelt apology: “I fully acknowledge the historical wrongdoings of my grandfather and sincerely apologize as a descendant. Moving forward, I will face the truth of history with humility and live with a sense of responsibility.”

Full Statement

Hello, this is Lee Ji-ah.

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I would like to share my position regarding the recent reports.

I have been cautious and have thought about this matter for a long time. However, I now believe that it is right to take responsibility and correct the facts. Although it is difficult, I have gathered the courage to speak up.

I sincerely apologize for the delay in sharing my position.

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  1. Regarding the Family Dispute
    Since becoming independent at the age of 18, I have not received any financial support from my parents. Due to a complicated family history, I have been estranged from my parents for more than 10 years.
    I am not aware of, nor am I involved in, any disputes regarding family property or lawsuits related to the land ownership in question.
  2. My Position on the Pro-Japanese Controversy Regarding My Grandfather
    My grandfather passed away when I was two years old, so I have no memories of him, and I was never aware of any pro-Japanese actions during my upbringing.
    I first learned about this matter through an article in 2011. In order to verify the facts, I visited the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities multiple times and studied the relevant materials.
    Through this process, I discovered records of my grandfather’s contributions, and I believe that, even considering the historical context of that time, such actions cannot be justified under any circumstances.
    Additionally, if the land in Anyang, which is at the center of this controversy, was acquired during the Japanese colonial period, I believe it should be returned to the state.
  3. Final Remarks
    I have never made any statements about my grandfather in the past, nor have I used my family background to promote myself in any media articles.
    However, there has been a spread of false information online and in comments, claiming that I said I “respect my grandfather,” which is not true, and I would like to correct that.
    Lastly, I fully recognize the historical wrongdoings of my grandfather and sincerely apologize as a descendant. Moving forward, I will face the truth of history with humility and live with a sense of responsibility.

Thank you.

Lee Ji-ah.

As this statement was released, netizens continued their wave of support with reactions such as “Acknowledged. There hasn’t been a single descendant of pro-Japanese collaborators who has taken this stance“, “It’s great courage and admirable“, “The system of guilt by descent should be abolished“, “It’s neat” and “A person with a right mindset.” On the other hand, reactions such as “Why now?“, “We need to wait and see” and “Show us with actions rather than words” also followed.

Kim, the son of the late Kim Soon-heung, who was previously identified as Lee Ji-ah’s father and associated with pro-Japanese groups, is reportedly involved in a legal dispute with his brothers over the repurchase of a large parcel of land worth 35 billion won (approximately 27 million USD) that was left by their father.

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