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Oh Ha-young Apologizes After Pro-Japanese Ties Confirmed

8/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Oh Ha-young apologized after records confirmed her great-grandfather An Sang-ho joined a pro-Japanese group.
Her agency first called the claims groundless, then retracted the statement and issued an apology.
Lawyer Lee In-cheol urged Oh and her parents to visit the Shanghai Provisional Government site on August 15.
Lawmaker Kim Yong-man, great-grandson of Kim Gu, said descendants should be judged by their actions after the truth emerged.

History

Historical Context

After the March 1st Movement, Korean activists convened in Shanghai’s French Concession and on 11 April 1919 founded the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, electing Syngman Rhee as prime minister. The government unified with Seoul and Vladivostok factions on 11 September 1919, later cited in the 1987 South Korean constitution and a 2019 U.S. congressional resolution recognizing its role in Korean democracy.

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Story summary

Oh Ha-young apologized after records confirmed her great-grandfather An Sang-ho joined a pro-Japanese group.
Her agency first called the claims groundless, then retracted the statement and issued an apology.
Lawyer Lee In-cheol urged Oh and her parents to visit the Shanghai Provisional Government site on August 15.
Lawmaker Kim Yong-man, great-grandson of Kim Gu, said descendants should be judged by their actions after the truth emerged.

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