[Provided by Herald Pop (now Herald Muse)]
[Provided by Herald Pop (now Herald Muse)]

Ko Young-wook, a former member of the group Rula, has weighed in on a controversy over alleged pro-Japan sentiment in the entertainment industry, calling it an "anachronistic witch hunt."

On Wednesday, Ko posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account: "Before getting worked up over this anachronistic witch hunt for pro-Japan collaborators, shouldn't Koreans first focus on observing the most basic standards of civic conduct?"

He added, "Please, at least learn from Japan when it comes to cleaning up your trash."

The post was accompanied by a news article about Sinnim Valley on Seoul's Gwanaksan, which had gone viral on social media, reporting that the site was being overwhelmed by illegally dumped garbage.

On Tuesday, Ko also shared an article about a controversy surrounding a music video by the band Hyukoh, writing, "Why are people going on about pro-Japan collaborators in 2026?" He added, "If that's how you feel, then just stop traveling to Japan altogether."

The controversy centers on a music video Hyukoh released ahead of a new single, in which Japanese actor Ando Sakura appears as the lead. Ando Sakura's great-great-grandfather is Inukai Tsuyoshi, who served as Japan's 29th prime minister from 1931 to 1932.

The video's release three days after Liberation Day prompted online criticism questioning whether the casting had been appropriate. Others pushed back, arguing that holding descendants responsible for their ancestors' actions amounts to guilt by association. Hyukoh has not issued a statement on the matter.

Ko made his debut in 1994 as a member of Rula. He was indicted on charges of rape and sexual assault against minors and in 2013 received a final sentence of two years and six months in prison from the Supreme Court. He was also ordered to have his personal information disclosed for five years and to wear an electronic monitoring anklet for three years. He was released in July 2015 after serving his full term.


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