Actor Ha Young's Great-Grandfather Sued in 1923 Over Land Dispute

Amid ongoing controversies regarding the pro-Japanese activities of actor Ha Young's great-grandfather, Ahn Sang-ho, a historical newspaper report detailing a lawsuit filed against him over land ownership during the Japanese colonial period has been reexamined.

Recently, a newspaper article dated December 28, 1923, headlined "Ahn Sang-ho Sued for Cancellation of Ownership Transfer," has been spreading rapidly across online communities and social media.

The report outlines the circumstances under which an individual named Park Seung-hak filed a lawsuit against Ahn Sang-ho at the Gyeongseong District Court regarding a plot of land in Paju County.

The Dong-A Ilbo reported, "Park Seung-hak, a resident of Icheon-ri, Papyeong-myeon, Paju County, has filed a lawsuit with the Civil Division of the Gyeongseong District Court against Ahn Sang-ho, who lives at Samjeongmok, Jongno, in the city, demanding the cancellation of a land sales certificate."

The land in question is located in Raemun-ri, Cheonhyeon-myeon, Paju County, and was reportedly originally owned by Park, who filed the suit.

The newspaper stated, "The land in Raemun-ri, Cheonhyeon-myeon, Paju County, valued at approximately 1,200 won, originally belonged to the plaintiff. While the plaintiff was away, the defendant used harsh threats to intimidate the plaintiff's mother, who was unaware of the ways of the world, and made it appear as though he had purchased the land himself, subsequently obtaining certification from the county office."

According to the complaint submitted to the court by Park Seung-hak, around November 1914 (the 3rd year of Taisho), while Park was away from home, Ahn Sang-ho had the land ownership transferred to him by targeting Park's mother.

The complaint also stated that "Ahn Sang-ho threatened Park's mother, who knew little of the world, with harsh words, and fabricated the situation as if he had legally purchased the land, thereby obtaining a certificate related to the land sale from the jurisdiction's county office."

According to contemporary newspaper reports, Park had initially requested several times that Ahn cancel the certificate, but his demands were ignored, ultimately leading him to file a lawsuit with the Civil Division of the Gyeongseong District Court to void the land sales certificate.

While the newspaper reported the fact that a lawsuit had been filed and a trial was scheduled, the outcome of the final ruling remains unconfirmed.

Around the same time, The Chosun Ilbo also reported the news, adding, "What truly lies beneath the surface cannot be known until a trial is held and both sides present their oral arguments."

It has been revealed that Ahn Sang-ho was active in the pro-Japanese organization "Daejeong Chinmokhwae" and was one of the medical personnel who treated Yi Wan-yong, who suffered severe injuries from independence activist Lee Jae-myung's assassination attempt.

Records also show that he participated in the Commemorative Preparation Committee for Hirobumi Ito during the Japanese colonial period.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.