The show tracked the hidden truth behind the death of Jang Jun-ha, a representative intellectual of Korea, which was previously known as a simple accidental fall.
In the episode aired on the 14th, ‘Kkokkomu’ (Story of the Day that Bites the Tail) featured guests Tiffany, Seo Kyung-seok, and Han Gru. The episode, titled “1975, That Summer at Yaksabong,” looked into the mysterious death of Jang Jun-ha in 1975, the process of the investigation at the time, and the suspicions that emerged during later re-examinations.
On August 17, 1975, Jang Jun-ha was found dead in a valley below a 14m cliff while hiking at Unaksan in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do. It was quickly concluded as a death by falling due to a slip. However, unlike typical fall victims, his clothes, shoes, and glasses were intact, and there were no signs on his hands that he had tried to cling to the cliff.
Questions continued with witness testimonies. The companion claimed Jang Jun-ha headed toward the cliff first and fell, but the testimony changed over time, and the rescue route did not match the terrain. There was even mention of “two soldiers,” but their identities were never confirmed.
The process of closing the case was also suspicious. A reporter who was investigating the doubts was arrested for “spreading rumors,” halting the coverage. The case was rushed to a close without a proper investigation. Later, during a 2003 re-investigation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it was revealed that some records had disappeared, raising suspicions of intelligence agency involvement.
The turning point came in 2012. Thirty-seven years after his death, his remains were moved. When the coffin was opened, everyone was shocked. Evidence of skull depression and fractures, which were not identified in 1975, were newly discovered. An expert analyzed that “while he did fall, there is a possibility he was hit in the head first and then thrown,” suggesting homicide rather than a simple accident.
At the time, Jang Jun-ha was a figure in conflict with the regime, leading the “Million People Constitutional Amendment Petition” against former President Park Chung-hee’s Yushin system. Suspicions grew as he died just five days before a planned “action” against the Yushin Constitution. His family also suffered greatly; his eldest son was attacked by unknown assailants, and the bereaved family faced continuous surveillance and threats.
Despite the passage of time, the truth of that day remains unknown. Most key materials were lost, and the sole witness died after giving inconsistent testimonies. Ultimately, the case remains in a state where “the truth cannot be determined.” Han Gru said, “This cannot end like this, if only for the sake of the family,” and Tiffany emphasized, “We cannot let it end this way.”
As a young man in 1944, during the Sino-Japanese War, Jang Jun-ha volunteered for the Japanese army to escape and join the Liberation Army, walking a staggering 2,356km to reach the Provisional Government. Hearing his belief, “I will not be a pathetic ancestor,” Seo Kyung-seok expressed amazement, saying, “That is not an easy choice to make at that age. It is incredible to make such a decision when your own safety is at stake.” He added, “His heart was not in vain,” while Han Gru said, “I’m so moved, I have goosebumps.”
Jang Jun-ha’s strong struggle as a member of the Liberation Army did not stop. He risked his life preparing for infiltration operations into the Korean Peninsula as part of the US Army’s OSS (the predecessor to the CIA). After liberation, he continued as an active intellectual, calling for democracy against the Syngman Rhee regime.
In 2013, a retrial was held for Jang Jun-ha’s 1974 case regarding the violation of Emergency Measure No. 1. The court expressed respect and gratitude to the man who did not shy away from sacrifice and hardship to be a light in the dark ages of human rights, declaring him “not guilty” after 38 years.
The cast felt heartbroken that the suspicious death was buried. The three MCs, Jang Hyun-sung, Jang Sung-kyu, and Jang Do-yeon, evaluated him as “a young man who dreamed of independent sovereignty when independence movements were dismissed as riots, and a man who did not stop speaking the truth even under oppressive silence.” They called him “a true adult who knew shame in a chaotic era and a person who wanted to leave a better world for the next generation.” Seo Kyung-seok noted, “Regardless of ideology, he was someone who pondered what true righteousness was and put it into action,” and Han Gru said, “I respect him so much, he is amazing.” Tiffany shared her emotions, saying, “We are here today because of Jang Jun-ha back then. I want to feel grateful.”
Meanwhile, ‘Kkokkomu’ airs every Thursday at 10:20 PM on SBS.
