Actress Lee Ji Ah has been embroiled in a legal dispute between her father's siblings over a 35 billion KRW (about $26 million) land inheritance left by her grandfather, who has been classified as a pro-Japanese collaborator.
On the morning of February 19, a representative from Lee Ji Ah’s agency, BH Entertainment, told OSEN, "We are currently verifying the details of the situation." The agency added, "We are discussing whether to issue an official statement, but as this matter does not directly involve the actress, we ask for your understanding."
Earlier that day, media outlet The Fact reported that Lee Ji Ah (born Kim Ji Ah) is the granddaughter of Kim Soon Heung, who has been classified as a pro-Japanese collaborator. According to the report, a legal dispute has arisen among Kim Soon Heung’s children over the inheritance of land worth approximately 35 billion KRW (about $26 million).
Lee Ji Ah’s father, identified as Mr. Kim, is the youngest among his siblings. He is accused of forging a power of attorney document by using his siblings’ seals during the repurchase process of the inherited land.
According to previous reports, Lee Ji Ah ’s cousin, referred to as 'A,' stated that the land in question, located in Seoksu-dong, Manan-gu, Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, was initially appropriated as a military site. However, under Article 20 of the Special Act on the Disposal of Enemy Property, the Ministry of National Defense granted Kim Soon Heung’s children the preferential right to repurchase the land.
The siblings allegedly planned a development project on the land. However, a contract had already been signed with a mortgage of 16.9 billion KRW (about $11.63 million), bearing the seal of Lee Ji Ah’s father, Mr. Kim, as the proxy. Mr. Kim’s siblings claim they never authorized him to act on their behalf.
Additionally, they allege that they only became aware of the contract in May 2019, when the land was listed for auction. Consequently, the siblings filed a lawsuit against Mr. Kim for document forgery and other charges. However, the police twice decided not to press charges, and after further review by the prosecution, he was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing. Despite this, 'A' s side has announced plans to pursue the case further through a judicial review.
Furthermore, 'A' claims that Mr. Kim has a criminal history, having served three prison sentences for document forgery and fraud, along with a 3 million KRW (about $2,083) fine. In response, Mr. Kim denied any wrongdoing, stating, "I used legally obtained seals and certificates as a duly authorized proxy. I don’t understand why this issue is being raised again after a full investigation." Regarding the forgery accusation, he countered, "My sister instructed me to proceed."
Meanwhile, Lee Ji Ahrecently starred in JTBC’s Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Queen of Divorce' and appeared alongside actress Kim Go Eun in the four-part tvN variety show 'The Ways of Tasting,' which concluded in December. She is currently reviewing offers for her next project.
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