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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 22h

I think I really needed this book right now. American Hagwon asks us to rethink what truly matters in life. Hope many will read & reflect on its messages. Bravo to @minjinlee.bsky.social. Already seems like such a long time ago when I met her in Seoul during the launch of Pachinko's KOR translation!

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

I recently had the chance to play a small part in an oral history project with Mr. Kim Seong-sun, who just turned 97 years old. He survived the Daegu Prison massacre during the Korean War, pioneered grape cultivation in Gimcheon, and served as a leader in the farmers' democratization movement.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Yesterday in Dongducheon, on the 772nd day that activists have been vigilantly protecting the former STD Management Center from demolition.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Today would have been my grandfather’s 91st birthday. He passed away shortly before his 89th. Offered prayers in his memory at Gatbawi and Bulgulsa today. I miss him every day.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I grew up less than a 15 minute drive away from this beautiful view, and I took this photo when my wife and I visited from Korea last December. It is Lake Ontario, and that will always be its name.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Happy to know this article has finally been published!! It can be found in Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea Volume 99. It evolved from a lecture I gave last August and focuses on Kang's early efforts towards uncovering the truth of the Gyeongsan Cobalt Mine Civilian Massacres.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Applicants residing overseas can also submit applications for truth-finding via email (jinsil26@korea.kr).

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Applications for truth-finding can be submitted until February 25, 2028, and applicants may apply directly through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as well as through local government offices in Korea, or overseas diplomatic missions.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Among the 4,716 cases, the top five categories are as follows: 1) Human Rights Violations and Cover-up (1,541), 2) Group Facilities (e.g. Hyungje Bokjiwon) (1,296), 3) Mass Civilian Killings (1,094), 4) Foreign Adoptees (437), and 5) Incidents involving Hostile Forces (148).

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Friday marked 100 days since the launch of the 3rd TRC. 4,716 applications for truth-finding have been filed so far by victims, bereaved families, and other related parties. With the Yangju Adoptee Archive, we recently met Chair Song Sang-gyo and Standing Commissioner Kim Gwi-ok.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Note the tables are extracted from my newsletter, and the column titles are cut-off. 2nd from left is who was elected in 2022 and center is the elected candidate in this cycle. Furthest to the right is swing in PPP vote as a %, and the second from the right is swing in the DP vote as a %.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Final results (99.98% counted in Busan) for the mayoral races in metro cities + Sejong. DP improved vote share significantly in the conservative stronghold of Daegu, although it fell short of a win in the end. The city has never elected a non-conservative mayor since local autonomy was introduced.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Another close race to watch is Yeongcheon. 2-term incumbent Choi Ki-mun (최기문), an independent, is fending off a challenge from the PPP's Kim Byeong-sam (김병삼). Just over 10% of votes have been counted so far and Choi is trailing by 222 votes.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Three familiar names appeared on ballots in Pohang, Gimcheon, and Jincheon, respectively...

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Busan Buk A: ex-Sr. Secretary for AI Future Planning Ha Jung-woo (하중우) at the BH has the DP ticket. He faces ex-PPP MNA Park Min-sik (박민식) and indy candidate Han Dong-hoon (한동훈, 53). Han was Justice Minister under YSY and led the PPP before his ouster from this position amdist fallout from 12.3.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Cho was stripped of his National Assembly seat, which was secured through the proportional representation system, when the top court upheld his 2-year prison sentence in December 2024. After seving eight months, Lee Jae Myung pardoned him last year on Liberation Day.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Pyeongtaek: The DP’s candidate is attorney and former MNA Kim Yong-nam (박용남). He is squaring off with former MNA Yu Ui-dong (유위동) from the PPP, as well as three third party candidates. Foremost among them is former Justice Minister Cho Kuk (조국).

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

South Gyeongsang: PPP incumbent Park Wan-su (박완수) is seeking a second term. He is being challenged by former governor Kim Gyeong-su (김경수) who was jailed over his involvement in a 2018 opinion rigging scandal. Exit polls give the advantage to Kim.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

North Jeolla: Incumbent Kim Gwan-young (김관영) was expelled from the DP’s primary over allegations he distributed cash envelopes in violation of the election act. He is running as an independent against the DP's Lee Won-taek (이원택).

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Gyeonggi: Choo Mi-ae (추미애), the longest-serving female MNA, defeated incumbent Kim Dong-yeon (김동연) in the primary. She looks to make history as the first woman governor. Exit polls predict an easy win for her over the PPP's Yang Hyang-ja (양형자), who was expelled from the DP a few years ago.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Ulsan: The Progressive Party unified behind the DP's Kim Sang-wook(김상욱) right before advance voting started. Kim was elected to the National Assembly in 2024 under the PPP banner but bolted due to YSY's failed martial law. He gained prominence as a pro-impeachment figure.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Daegu: No incumbent running since Hong Joon-pyo resigned in April 2025. Ex-PM Kim Boo-kyum (김부겸), the DP's star candidate, is facing ex-PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho (추경호). Exit poll gives Choo a razor-thin edge. Park Geun-hye's campaigning may have helped close the gap.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Like you suggest, it would be hard to investigate unilaterally and not have cooperation from whatever country is concerned unless perhaps a case receives significant media attention. Maybe if a foreign offense involved deportation that could be reasonable grounds for revoking.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

It is something I've wondered about... ROK has confiscated and cancelled passports in some cases where its nationals have engaged in organized sex tourism and sex trafficking abroad, and you've probably seen that an activist's passport was recently invalidated for trying to enter Gaza.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Yesterday at Jirisan Hwaeomsa in Gurye-gun, Masan-myeon.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Among these individuals are people who enjoyed power and influence long after their anti-constitutional actions; who have been awarded state commendations; and/or who have been buried in a National Cemetery.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

The largest category is "Massacres related to the National Guidance League and Preventative Detention," which has 20 perpetrators associated with it, and 5 for whom it is categorized as a secondary offense.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

The massacres are divided into Jeju 4.3, Yeosu-Suncheon, the National Guidance League and Preventative Detention, Inmates/Prisoners, Massacres in the course of "Collaborator" Punishment, and Rear Areas.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

If we focus on civilian massacres, there are 52 people whose primary act of perpetration relates to this category. They are divided across six sub-categories. If we take the estimate of 300,000 victims, that represents 1 perpetrator for about 5,770 victims, and shows how porous the net still is.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

The Compilation Committee examined five types of anti-constitutional offences. These included massacres, insurrection, torture and espionage fabrication, election fraud, and media repression.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

The first four volumes focus on 81 individuals and will be published by the end of April by Sapyoung (Social Criticism). The rest are slated for publication in two phases by the first half of 2027. Volume 1 covers five Presidents and volumes 2 to 4 deal with people involved in judicial affairs.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

My latest: Yesterday, a press conference was held ahead of the publication of "Biographical Accounts of Anti-Constitutional Actors (반헌법행위자열전)." The project will span 12 volumes; t identifies and profiles 312 public officials between the Rhee Syngman and Roh Tae-woo governments.

koreatimes.co.kr

5 ex-presidents listed as ‘anti-constitutional actors' in new reckoning on historical state violence - The Korea Times

Five former presidents of Korea made it onto a list of perpetrators of state violence in Korea's authoritarian past. Syngman Rhee, Park Chung-hee,...

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

New article for @koreatimescokr. I covered the background of the special opening of the Wongaksa Stone Pagoda and what has happened since recreational activities were banned in Tapgol Park. Also was able to fit in some historical tidbits about the pagoda's condition before and after liberation.

koreatimes.co.kr

10-story stone pagoda in Tapgol Park receives first up-close public viewing in 27 years - The Korea Times

Class wrapping up on a Friday afternoon should have marked the start of the weekend, but Yang Seo-yeon still had something to do. Leaving Sungkyunk...

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Surveying current conditions at the last two aircraft hangers from the Pacific War in Yeongcheon. They were built through the forced mobilization of students from Daegu Agriculture and Forestry School when Japan began to anticipate U.S. landings on the Korean Peninsula.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Sounds great! Park Jeong-mi was wonderful to interview back in 2024, and I enjoyed writing a review of her book as well. Margo Okazawa-Rey is great too. Met her about a year ago in Dongducheon when she came to see the former STD Detention Center.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

Last month, at Fukuju-ji in Kitakyushu to pay respects to victims of the 1940 Kokura Coal Mine flood incident. 39 lost their lives after being trapped inside. Among the 26 Korean victims, 19 left behind families. Recovery of the bodies took one year, but three were never found.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

I have not been to Kanazawa, but it looks fantastic. Somewhere else to add to my list for future travels.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Wrote a reflection on Substack about Jangheung's Borimsa. On the surface it is a beautiful temple; home to several designated treasures. What the casual visitor won't necessarily perceive is its tragic Korean War history w/ civilians caught btw state & guerrilla violence. Link: shorturl.at/brxO8

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Congratulations! Looks fascinating, and I can't wait to read it!

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

I don’t get down there too often, but I had some time to kill before taking the ferry to Shimonoseki earlier this month. Will try to go back maybe this Spring to look into some coastal tunnels dug during wartime mobilization.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Wandering alleys in Busan’s Jung-gu, I stumbled upon 정오사 in a Japanese style colonial house. It had a striking painting of Avalokiteshvara. 대승불교회 established a temple here in 1977, but in 1991 ownership of the premises was transferred to the Jogye Order’s 12th Diocese.

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Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭) @jackwgreenberg.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Was in Gyeongsan’s Namsan-myeon today to dig deeper into the history of a 1944 uprising against forced mobilization under Japanese occupation. Visited one of the leader’s children, and was treated to a delicious homemade meal and tea. At 80, she still keeps a lovely house filled with plants.

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