Kwak Min-sun shares family history of independence activism

Broadcaster and former announcer Kwak Min-sun has expressed her grief regarding recent controversies involving the descendants of individuals accused of pro-Japanese activities during the Japanese colonial period. In a social media post, Kwak shared the hardships faced by her own family as descendants of independence activist Kwak Byeong-do.

Kwak Byeong-do, who was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 2000, spent his entire fortune on military funds for the independence movement and was subsequently imprisoned. His family faced property confiscation and intense surveillance by Japanese authorities. Kwak noted that while her family struggled with poverty due to these sacrifices, she felt a sense of guilt for not fully appreciating the weight of their history sooner.

Her comments follow a controversy involving actress Ha Young, whose great-grandfather’s activities during the colonial era led to allegations of pro-Japanese collaboration. The backlash against Ha Young has resulted in canceled interviews and the removal of various promotional materials and broadcast clips.