Ahn Sang-ho's Alleged Activities as Council Member of Pro-Japanese Organization 'Taejeong Industrial Friendship Association' and Land Seizure in Paju

It has been revealed that pro-Japanese collaborator Ahn Sang-ho served as a council member of the 'Taejeong Industrial Friendship Association,' a pro-Japanese organization formed in the early 1920s. In a released photo from a New Year's banquet, Ahn Sang-ho is seen giving a speech. Prominent pro-Japanese figures of the time, including advisor Lee Wan-yong and chairman Min Young-gi, were part of this organization. Ahn Sang-ho was one of 16 council members.

The Taejeong Industrial Friendship Association was a core network of pro-Japanese aristocrats, capitalists, and anti-national collaborators who opposed Joseon's independence during the March 1st Movement and advocated for the military rule of the Japanese Government-General of Korea. They preached the impossibility of self-reliance and urged submission to the rule of the Japanese Empire, conducting pro-Japanese activities nationwide, centered in Seoul. This organization is evaluated not merely as a social club, but as an association of pro-Japanese individuals who justified and cooperated with Japanese colonial rule.

The host mentioned the pro-Japanese controversy surrounding the father of Democratic Party Assemblyman Lee Sung-yoon, stating that there are additional facts beyond the name change (Changssi Gaemyeong) currently known to the media. It was announced that these details would be disclosed more thoroughly in future broadcasts.

The content of a propaganda article titled 'Naeseon Ilche Model Family' from the Japanese colonial era was analyzed. The person in the article was said to never wear a single Korean garment, never eat spicy food, and their five children only spoke Japanese at home, never Korean. Furthermore, not associating with Koreans was described as 'fortunate,' revealing the deceptive nature of the propaganda by showing complete subservience to Japan's assimilation policy.

It has been confirmed that Ahn Sang-ho also participated in Gyeongseongbuhoe, a pro-Japanese puppet organization. Gyeongseongbuhoe lacked actual autonomy, as its resolutions had no effect without the approval of Japanese local officials. It served to gather pro-Japanese individuals to assist colonial rule. Ahn Sang-ho's name is clearly indicated in the red box in the archival photo.

According to a Chosun Ilbo article dated December 28, 1923, Park Seung-hak, residing in Papyeong-myeon, Paju-gun, Gyeonggi-do, filed a lawsuit in the civil division of the Gyeongseong District Court against Ahn Sang-ho, a wealthy doctor from Jongno 3-jeongmok in the city, to invalidate a land sales certificate. This lawsuit was based on the suspicion that Ahn Sang-ho had seized land in Naemun-ri, Cheonyeon, Paju-gun, valued at approximately 1,200 won.

The land Ahn Sang-ho sought to seize was a mountain in Naemun-ri, Paju, known as an auspicious site according to feng shui, with the intention of burying his father, Ahn Geon-young, there. During the week Park Seung-hak was away, Ahn Sang-ho attempted to take over the auspicious site by threatening the 80-year-old mother and forcing her to sign a land sales contract. It was mentioned that intimidation and coercive behavior towards the elderly mother occurred during this process.

Ahn Sang-ho reportedly won the land seizure lawsuit, and there are stories of large-scale protests by Paju residents. Ahn Sang-ho continued to own this land until it was expropriated by the U.S. military for road use after liberation, for which he received substantial compensation. Academics have suggested that he used this compensation to expand his assets and move to Anyang City.