'Kkokkomu' Fugitive Ji Gangheon: "Please Pray for My Final Moment"

Photo by SBS 'Special - The Day Stories That Follow One Another'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jeong-ho] The 'Ji Gang-heon Incident,' which shook our society in 1988, was spotlighted.

On the afternoon of the 14th, SBS's 'Special - The Story of That Day That Keeps Unfolding' aired the 'Ji Gang-heon Incident,' which became a hot topic as a live TV broadcast hostage situation in 1988.

The 'Ji Gang-heon Incident' involved prisoners on a transport bus suddenly acting out and collectively escaping.

Among the prisoners scattered here and there, Ji Gang-heon hid in a private home and staged a hostage situation, confronting the police until the very last moment.

The standoff scenes, including the hostage situation, were broadcast live on TV, causing a significant social impact.

One of the hostages who provided their home at the time recalled, "After hearing they would leave in three days, I took them into my house. I drank soju with Ji Gang-heon and his group, and under the influence of alcohol, I heard their true feelings."

At the time of the 'Ji Gang-heon Incident,' the prisoners stated, "We were caught stealing because we were hungry," and "Even if we got a job, they wouldn't hire us because we were ex-convicts."

In particular, Ji Gang-heon revealed, "I dreamed of being a poet. I will expose the corruption in the Republic of Korea and die."

Additionally, a female hostage recalled about Ji Gang-heon, "He asked how dying could look cool. He also asked me to pray for his last moments."

Meanwhile, Ji Gang-heon was shot dead by the police.