'Moon Won's wife' Shin Ji: "A national violation... chilling and meticulous crime" — Furious [Kkoko-mu]

*This content was translated by AI.

Shin Ji, a new member of the group Koyote, appeared on 'Kkoko-mu'.

The SBS program 'The Story of That Day, Tying the Tail to the Tail' (hereinafter 'Kkoko-mu'), which aired on the night of the 16th, featured an episode titled 'That Day of "1995 Destruction"'. On this broadcast, No-eul's Kang Kyung-seong, Shin Ji, and comedian Park So-ra joined as listeners, following the journey of creating a new Republic of Korea and restoring national dignity through "constructive destruction."

The story that day began with a top-secret operation to secure one of only four super-large cranes in the nation amid sabotage by opposition groups attempting to block the demolition of the Jo Seon (총독) building. Crane operator Lee Gi-bom successfully evaded pursuit by concealing the equipment's location and, with police escort, dramatically entered the site via Sejong-ro.

Then, on August 15, under the watchful eyes of 50,000 spectators and Cha Young-jo, the only son of independence activist Chae Sik, the demolition began as a massive 35-ton spire was pulled down. This moment was broadcast live nationwide, achieving an explosive viewership rating of 28.5%.

A heroic struggle also unfolded during the relocation of artifacts within the building then used as the National Museum of Korea. To safely transport cultural treasures, staff dug a dedicated underground tunnel over 100 meters long and carried each artifact by hand. When moving large Buddha statues larger than the tunnel itself, entire exhibition hall walls were demolished. For unavoidable above-ground transport, drivers placed paper cups filled with water in front of the truck's steering wheel and executed an ultra-slow "paper cup operation" at just 2 km/h to prevent even a single drop from spilling. This was a miracle achieved by the tearful sense of duty among officials who declared, "Cultural relics come before my life."

Later, during the full-scale demolition process, a shocking truth emerged: the first discovery of a secret detention facility hidden in an underground space previously unknown to anyone. Each room, barely large enough for one person, retained brutal traces of torture — thick iron doors, locking mechanisms, and even drainage channels designed to wash away blood and water. This proved that the Jo Seon (총독) building was not the modern governing institution claimed by Japan, but in reality a hellish place where our nation was brutally suppressed, sparking public outrage.

Even more shocking was the meticulous design plan implemented by Japan when constructing the building. Japan not only blocked the path directly in front of Jeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace with the Governor-General's Office building but also deliberately tilted the structure 3.75 degrees off the Gyeongbokgung Palace axis to erase our nation's legitimacy. This was intended to align the view so that from above, one would face Chosun Shrine on Namsan, where Japanese gods were enshrined. Additionally, aerial views revealed the building was arranged in the shape of the character "Il" (), suggesting an intent to stamp Japan's seal upon the heart of Korea. Kang Kyung-seong expressed anger, saying, "It is cruel and heartbreaking," while Park So-ra remarked, "It is meticulous and chilling."

Furthermore, to raise construction funds, the Japanese auctioned off more than 90% of Gyeongbokgung Palace's structures: turning the Crown Prince's residence, Jaseondang, into a wing of a Japanese hotel; converting the Crown Prince's office into a bar; and selling Seonwonjeon, where portraits of kings were enshrined, as a kitchen warehouse for a temple dedicated to Ito Hirobumi. Park So-ra condemned these acts as "contempt, mockery, and disdain," adding, "These crimes have no end."

Japan's reaction after the demolition decision also sparked outrage. As Japanese tourists surged to see the final appearance of the Governor-General's Office, some expressed nostalgia, saying, "I miss those days." Shin Ji could not contain her anger, asking, "For us, it is pain and sorrow — why say such things?" When Japanese scholars opposed the demolition and Japanese officials made outrageous remarks like "Japan did many good things for Korea," then-Kim Yeong-sam (President) responded at a press conference with firm words: "We will correct the behavior of those Japanese devils," accepting the risk of diplomatic conflict. This statement resonated deeply.

To prevent damage to surrounding cultural relics at Gyeongbokgung Palace, instead of using explosive methods, workers performed a highly difficult operation: placing excavators on the roof via crane and systematically demolishing the building layer by layer from above downward. After this arduous process, the Jo Seon (총독) building disappeared from the world forever after 70 years. Kang Kyung-seong described it as "feeling like removing a tumor," while Shin Ji shared her thoughts: "It was not an easy journey to find its rightful place."

Thereafter, this site was reborn as a new space for the Republic of Korea. The area around Sejong-ro, once symbolizing oppression and control, has now transformed into Gwanghwamun Square — a vibrant public space where people naturally gather for events like World Cup street cheering and candlelight festivals. Shin Ji emphasized, "With the demolition of the Jo Seon (총독) building, a new chapter in our country's history is being written," highlighting the hope embodied by the newly opened Gwanghwamun Square.

'Kkoko-mu' is a program where three storytellers study on their own and share their reflections one-on-one with their respective "story friends" in the most everyday settings. It airs every Thursday at 10:20 p.m. on SBS.

Meanwhile, Shin Ji married singer Moon Won, who is seven years her junior, in May.

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*This content was translated by AI.