Actor Lee Ji-ah apologizes for grandfather's pro-Japanese controversy, says "Property should be confiscated"

"I Believe There Is No Justification for Any Reason"

Actress Lee Ji-ah expressed her apology regarding the controversy over her grandfather's pro-Japanese activities. On the 21st, through her agency BH Entertainment, she stated, "I deeply recognize the historical mistakes of my grandfather and sincerely apologize as his descendant."

She explained, "My grandfather passed away when I was two years old, so I grew up completely unaware of his pro-Japanese actions. I first learned about this fact through an article in 2011." She added, "To verify the truth, I visited the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities and studied related materials." She continued, "During that process, I confirmed my grandfather's donation records, and even considering the historical context of that time, I believe such actions cannot be justified for any reason."

Previously, a media outlet reported that Lee Ji-ah's father, Mr. A, is involved in an inheritance dispute over land worth 35 billion won with his siblings. The report sparked controversy as it revealed that Mr. A and his siblings are children of the late Kim Soon-heung, a known pro-Japanese collaborator.

Lee said, "I became independent early at the age of eighteen and have never received any financial support from my parents." She added, "Due to family issues, I have been estranged from my parents for over ten years." She further stated, "I have no knowledge of, nor am I involved in, the disputed family assets or lawsuits regarding the ownership of the land in question." She concluded, "If the land in Anyang at the center of the controversy was acquired during the Japanese colonial period, I believe it must be returned to the state."