Lee Ji Ah Addresses Reports On Grandfather’s Pro-Japanese Allegations And Family Inheritance Dispute

Actress Lee Ji Ah has spoken out regarding the controversy surrounding her grandfather’s alleged pro-Japanese activities.

Recently, reports surfaced that Lee Ji Ah’s father became embroiled in a legal dispute with his siblings over a 35 billion won (approximately $24.4 million) inheritance—land reportedly left behind by her grandfather, who was classified as a pro-Japanese figure.

Regarding this, on February 21, Lee Ji Ah released an official statement through her agency BH Entertainment:

Hello, this is Lee Ji Ah.

I would like to express my stance regarding the recent reports.
After much deliberation and caution, I have decided that it is my responsibility to set the record straight and gather my courage to speak out.

I sincerely apologize for the delay in addressing this matter.

1. Facts Regarding My Family Dispute
Since becoming independent at the age of 18, I have not received any financial support from my parents. As embarrassing as it is to say, due to complicated family circumstances, I have not been in contact with them for over 10 years.

I was completely unaware of the disputed inheritance or the ongoing lawsuits regarding the land in question, and I have no involvement in these matters.

2. My Stance on My Grandfather’s Pro-Japanese Allegations
My grandfather passed away when I was two years old, so I have no personal memories of him. I also grew up without any knowledge of his alleged pro-Japanese activities.

In 2011, I first learned of this through news articles. Since then, I have visited the Center for Historical Truth and Justice multiple times, studying historical records to verify the facts.

Through this process, I confirmed my grandfather’s donation records. Regardless of the historical context at the time, I believe that such actions cannot be justified for any reason.

Furthermore, if the land in Anyang, which is at the center of the current controversy, was indeed acquired during the Japanese occupation, I firmly believe that it should be returned to the state.

3. Final Remarks
I have never made any statements about my grandfather in the past, nor have I ever used my family background for promotional purposes.

However, misinformation has spread online, falsely claiming that I once said, “I respect my grandfather.” This is completely untrue, and I want to clarify this misunderstanding.

Finally, I deeply acknowledge the historical wrongdoings of my grandfather. As his descendant, I sincerely apologize. Moving forward, I will continue to face historical truths with humility and live with a sense of responsibility.

Thank you.

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