Actress Lee Ji Ah has broken her silence about her family’s inheritance dispute and her grandfather’s pro-Japanese controversy.
On February 21, Lee Ji Ah addressed the issue through her agency, BH Entertainment. She shared, “I have been thinking about this for a long time and was very cautious. But I believe it is my responsibility to clarify things, even if it’s difficult. That’s why I decided to speak up now.”
Regarding the inheritance dispute, she firmly stated, “I became independent at 18 and have never received financial support from my parents. Due to complicated family matters, I have been estranged from them for over ten years.”
She added, “I have no involvement in the family estate, lawsuits, or the land ownership issue that has caused controversy.”
Lee Ji Ah also addressed allegations about her grandfather’s pro-Japanese actions. She explained, “He passed away when I was two, so I have no memories of him. I only learned about his past through news articles in 2011. Since then, I have visited the Institute for Korean Historical Studies multiple times to verify the facts and study historical materials.”
She continued, “I confirmed records of my grandfather’s contributions, and regardless of the historical context, I believe such actions can never be justified. Also, if the land in Anyang—now at the center of controversy—was acquired during the Japanese colonial period, I believe it should be reclaimed by the state.”
Lee Ji Ah strongly denied false claims online that she had ever praised her grandfather. “I have never spoken about my grandfather before or used my family background for personal gain. However, rumors have spread saying I said, ‘I respect my grandfather,’ and that is simply not true.”
She concluded, “I fully acknowledge my grandfather’s historical wrongdoings and sincerely apologize as his descendant. Moving forward, I will continue to face history with humility and live with a strong sense of responsibility.”
Source: [1]
