(Yonhap)

Kang Dong-won on Sunday issued a public apology for the controversy regarding his “pro-Japanese” great-grandfather.

“I didn’t understand my great-grandfather’s wrongdoings at that time when I had an interview in 2007,” Kang said. “I would like to sincerely apologize for causing such a stir.”

The actor said, “I acknowledge my great-grandfather’s shameful past. I will study more about our history and reflect on myself.”

(High Cut)

YG Entertainment, which represents Kang, also issued an apology Friday for attempting to delete online posts about Kang’s family history.

The actor starred in the action-thriller film “Master,” which was released in December 2016. Kang, 36, will star in the upcoming film “1987” with Ha Jung-woo and Kim Tae-ri.

By Jie Ye-eun (yeeunjie@heraldcorp.com)