Actress Lee Ji-ah (46, Kim Ji-ah) directly addressed the controversy surrounding her late grandfather Kim Soon-hung's pro-Japanese activities, as well as the disputes over her parents' estate.
On the 21st, Lee Ji-ah stated through her agency BH Entertainment, "After a long time of contemplation and caution, I believe it is right to take responsibility to correct the facts, so I have mustered the courage to speak up, even though it is difficult. I sincerely apologize for the delay in my statement."
Regarding the family disputes, Lee Ji-ah stated, "Since I became independent at the age of 18, I have never received any financial support from my parents, and it is embarrassing, but due to a complicated family history, I have been estranged from my parents for over 10 years," and added, "I have no knowledge or involvement in the family estate or the land ownership disputes that have become controversial."
Lee Ji-ah also spoke about the pro-Japanese actions of her grandfather, which have followed her since her debut. She said, "My grandfather passed away when I was two years old, so I have no memories of him, and I grew up without any knowledge of his pro-Japanese activities," and added, "I first learned about this fact through an article in 2011, and to verify the accuracy, I visited the Institute for Research in Collaboration with Japan several times to check related materials and study."
She continued, "During that process, I discovered my grandfather's donation records, and considering the historical context of that time, I believe such actions cannot be justified for any reason," and expressed her honest opinion, saying, "If the land in Anyang, which is at the center of the controversy, was acquired during the Japanese colonial period, it must be reclaimed by the state."
"I have never made any statements regarding my grandfather in the past," emphasized Lee Ji-ah, "and I have never published promotional articles using my family name. 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 want to correct that."
In conclusion, Lee Ji-ah stated, "I deeply recognize the historical mistakes regarding my grandfather and sincerely apologize as a descendant. I will continue to face the truth of history with humility and live with a sense of responsibility."
On the 19th, The Fact reported that "Lee Ji-ah's biological father, the late Kim Soon-hung, classified as a pro-Japanese figure, is embroiled in legal disputes with his siblings." It was reported that Kim, the youngest of 12 siblings with seven brothers and five sisters, is accused of forging a power of attorney using the seals of his older siblings. Kim has a history of being sentenced to prison for forgery and fraud.
The Anyang branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office dismissed the charges against Kim for forgery and the use of forged documents due to insufficient evidence, but the family members who reported him, including A, believe the prosecution's decision was made as the statute of limitations was approaching and have filed a request for retrial in court.
While the family dispute over the land is entirely an internal family matter, public criticism has focused on the fact that the land in question is a large property worth approximately 35 billion won left by the pro-Japanese figure Kim Soon-hung.
Hello, this is Lee Ji-ah.
I would like to share my position regarding the recent reports.
After a long time of contemplation and caution, I believe it is right to take responsibility to correct the facts, so I have mustered the courage to speak up, even though it is difficult.
I sincerely apologize for the delay in my statement.
1. Facts related to family disputes
Since I became independent at the age of 18, I have never received any financial support from my parents, and it is embarrassing, but due to a complicated family history, I have been estranged from my parents for over 10 years.
I have no knowledge or involvement in the family estate or the land ownership disputes that have become controversial.
2. 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 grew up without any knowledge of his pro-Japanese activities.
I first learned about this fact through an article in 2011, and to verify the accuracy, I visited the Institute for Research in Collaboration with Japan several times to check related materials and study.
During that process, I discovered my grandfather's donation records, and considering the historical context of that time, I believe such actions cannot be justified for any reason.
If the land in Anyang, which is at the center of the controversy, was acquired during the Japanese colonial period, it must be reclaimed by the state.
3. Final remarks
I have never made any statements regarding my grandfather in the past, nor have I published promotional articles using my family name.
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 want to correct that.
Finally, I deeply recognize the historical mistakes regarding my grandfather and sincerely apologize as a descendant. I will continue to face the truth of history with humility and live with a sense of responsibility.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
