Ahn Sang-ho, a key figure in pro-Japanese collaboration during the Japanese colonial era, is suspected of participating in a pro-Japanese network and seizing auspicious land in Paju through intimidation.
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.
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.
It was announced that these details would be disclosed more thoroughly in future broadcasts.
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.
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.
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.
Answers come from the transcript, with the exact spot cited.
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