As controversies emerge over the past pro-Japanese activities of actor Ha-young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, attention is focusing on whether Ahn will be included as a subject of investigation by the "Second Pro-Japanese Property Investigation Committee," which is set to launch in December.
Recently, Ha-young introduced her family on a broadcast as a "four-generation medical family." However, controversy arose after records surfaced showing that her great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, served as a council member of the Daejeong Chinmokhoe, a pro-Japanese organization during the Japanese colonial period.
Yet, Ahn Sang-ho is not a figure listed in either the government-certified roster of 1,006 pro-Japanese anti-national actors or the Biographical Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators compiled by the Center for Historical Truth and Justice.
Consequently, Lee Jun-sik, a former standing commissioner of the first Pro-Japanese Property Investigation Committee and former head of the Independence Hall of Korea, expressed his view in a radio interview that "it remains unknown at this point whether Ahn Sang-ho will become an actual subject of investigation by the second committee."
Under current law, pro-Japanese anti-national acts are divided into 20 categories, including suppressing the independence movement, participating in the conclusion of treaties infringing upon national sovereignty, and cooperating with colonial rule. Furthermore, to designate properties for recovery as pro-Japanese assets, the degree of pro-Japanese collaboration—such as the suppression of independence activists or cooperation with colonial rule—must be recognized as extremely grave.
Former Commissioner Lee also pointed out practical limitations surrounding the recovery of pro-Japanese property.
While assets subject to recovery include not only real estate but also cash, gold bars, and ancient paintings and calligraphy, he explained that tracking them is virtually impossible if descendants conceal them, as the committee lacks investigative powers.
He added that the committee also had to endure significant hardships in the process of responding to a flood of lawsuits filed by descendants.
However, Lee stated, "With the exception of the massive assets related to Lee Hae-seung, the state won almost all of the lawsuits."
The second committee, relaunching after 16 years, has supplemented its legal grounds through legal amendments to track down and recover unjust enrichment even from pro-Japanese assets that have already been sold or converted into cash.
Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho projected that at least 32.5 billion won or more could be additionally recovered upon the launch of the second committee.
Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Hong Jin-young | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
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