Japanese media call Ha Young's great-grandfather controversy 'modern guilt by association'; professor Seo rebuffs criticism

Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, rebuffed Japanese media outlets that labeled the controversy over actor Ha Young's great-grandfather's pro-Japanese colonial collaboration a "modern form of guilt by association," saying Japan should first examine its own historical record.

On Friday, Seo wrote on his Facebook page, citing Japanese media reports, "I want to ask whether Japanese media have the standing to make such criticism."

"Which country distorted the history of forced labor mobilization to have its sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List?" he said.

He then added, "Have you offered a sincere apology and proper compensation to the grandmothers who were victims of the Japanese military's comfort women system?"

Seo also said, "Japan is the very country that still insists, against all reason, that Korea's Dokdo belongs to them," and added, "Japanese media should first develop a correct understanding of history and act accordingly before criticizing other countries. Are you not ashamed?"

The articles Seo took issue with include a column published Wednesday by JB Press, a Japanese conservative outlet. In a piece asking why Korea does not forgive the descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators, the outlet said the Korean entertainment industry has long carried a "scarlet letter" — the stigma of being "a descendant of a pro-Japanese collaborator."

JB Press wrote that "Ha's great-grandfather's past actions are being held against her even though she never met him," calling it "something utterly difficult to understand."

Kamoshika Hiromi, a professor and guest commentator for Fuji TV, also wrote in a separate column that there is a saying in Korea: "If your ancestors fought for independence, three generations will fall into ruin; if they collaborated with Japan, three generations will prosper." While acknowledging that remembering the past is important, Kamoshika criticized the decision to make Ha's advertisements private over allegations about her great-grandfather as a "modern form of guilt by association."

Ha Young, at the center of the controversy, said in a handwritten letter Wednesday that she had been unknowingly sharing stories about her great-grandfather as a source of family pride, and expressed regret for causing a stir on the eve of Liberation Day.