Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭)
@jackwgreenberg.bsky.social
Independent Researcher and Freelance Writer. Former Global 🇰🇷 Scholar. 고려대학교 and McGill Alumnus. Currently working on contested histories, memory sites, and Korea’s truth commission.
📧 jwgreenberg@outlook.com
‘Ggachi’ on Substack (ggachi.substack.com)
📧 jwgreenberg@outlook.com
‘Ggachi’ on Substack (ggachi.substack.com)
As news of diver Wei Hsu’s death was communicated, a makeshift altar was set up in front of the mine entrance with his picture. These bright flowers that earlier lay before the memorial for the 183 victims were placed down again to honor his selfless sacrifice.
February 7, 2026 at 3:06 PM
As news of diver Wei Hsu’s death was communicated, a makeshift altar was set up in front of the mine entrance with his picture. These bright flowers that earlier lay before the memorial for the 183 victims were placed down again to honor his selfless sacrifice.
Terrible, heartbreaking news from here in Ube. As this morning’s memorial came to its conclusion, Taiwanese diver Wei Hsu suffered cardiac arrest and lost consciousness underwater. He was transported to hospital and later pronounced dead. All dives from tomorrow onwards are indefinitely suspended.
February 7, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Terrible, heartbreaking news from here in Ube. As this morning’s memorial came to its conclusion, Taiwanese diver Wei Hsu suffered cardiac arrest and lost consciousness underwater. He was transported to hospital and later pronounced dead. All dives from tomorrow onwards are indefinitely suspended.
Today a memorial ceremony is being held at the space of remembrance near Tokonami Fishing Port. Despite cold winds and rain, many locals and Korean visitors have joined bereaved families in participating. We’re nearing the end now and the names of all 183 victims are being read aloud.
February 7, 2026 at 3:26 AM
Today a memorial ceremony is being held at the space of remembrance near Tokonami Fishing Port. Despite cold winds and rain, many locals and Korean visitors have joined bereaved families in participating. We’re nearing the end now and the names of all 183 victims are being read aloud.
I am hopeful more remains will be found during this weekend’s dives, and that both the Japanese and Korean government will realize now is the time to pitch in for recovery efforts, not only DNA testing.
February 6, 2026 at 2:09 PM
I am hopeful more remains will be found during this weekend’s dives, and that both the Japanese and Korean government will realize now is the time to pitch in for recovery efforts, not only DNA testing.
A group of bereaved family members from both countries were there to greet the remains. This is the second skull recovered, following the first last August. Staring at it with my own eyes brought tears, especially imagining that it could belong to one of the victims from Yeongcheon.
February 6, 2026 at 2:08 PM
A group of bereaved family members from both countries were there to greet the remains. This is the second skull recovered, following the first last August. Staring at it with my own eyes brought tears, especially imagining that it could belong to one of the victims from Yeongcheon.
183 workers were killed, including 136 Koreans mobilized for labour under Japanese colonization. At 3:30 P.M., a team of international divers returned to the shore carrying a victim’s skull and a few smaller fragments, including teeth.
February 6, 2026 at 2:03 PM
183 workers were killed, including 136 Koreans mobilized for labour under Japanese colonization. At 3:30 P.M., a team of international divers returned to the shore carrying a victim’s skull and a few smaller fragments, including teeth.
The underwater mine is located off the coast of Ube City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. A man-made mining disaster happened here 84 years ago, on February 2, 1942. The mining company’s negligence caused a tunnel leak that flooded the mine about one kilometer offshore.
February 6, 2026 at 2:01 PM
The underwater mine is located off the coast of Ube City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. A man-made mining disaster happened here 84 years ago, on February 2, 1942. The mining company’s negligence caused a tunnel leak that flooded the mine about one kilometer offshore.
This morning after arriving by ferry to Shimonoseki, Jenna and I made our way to the site of the Josei Coal Mine. We’ll be in Japan for a week to visit and research sites associated with Korean forced labour in mines.
February 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
This morning after arriving by ferry to Shimonoseki, Jenna and I made our way to the site of the Josei Coal Mine. We’ll be in Japan for a week to visit and research sites associated with Korean forced labour in mines.
오늘 장생탄광 있는 우베시에 갔습니다. 오후 3시 30분경 희생자 유해가 추가로 수습되었습니다. 국제 다이버 팀이 지난해 8월에 첫 번째 유해를 발견했는데, 오늘 이어 두 번째로 두개골 1점을 수습되어 현장에 있었던 유가족 품으로 돌아왔습니다.
February 6, 2026 at 1:58 PM
오늘 장생탄광 있는 우베시에 갔습니다. 오후 3시 30분경 희생자 유해가 추가로 수습되었습니다. 국제 다이버 팀이 지난해 8월에 첫 번째 유해를 발견했는데, 오늘 이어 두 번째로 두개골 1점을 수습되어 현장에 있었던 유가족 품으로 돌아왔습니다.
That’s right and I’m glad the transfer of remains was completed in a fairly short amount of time for their sake.
February 6, 2026 at 1:56 PM
That’s right and I’m glad the transfer of remains was completed in a fairly short amount of time for their sake.
Two rainbow mosaics photographed on opposite sides of the world. Toronto's Concourse Building boasts mosaics from 1928 by the Group of Seven's J. E. H. MacDonald and his son, Thoreau. Tashkent's School No. 110 features V. Kutkin's 1970 mosaic dedicated to Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko.
February 4, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Two rainbow mosaics photographed on opposite sides of the world. Toronto's Concourse Building boasts mosaics from 1928 by the Group of Seven's J. E. H. MacDonald and his son, Thoreau. Tashkent's School No. 110 features V. Kutkin's 1970 mosaic dedicated to Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko.
Sungshin Cement’s Danyang Plant; snapped just as I finished reading a report while riding the Jungang Line to Yeongcheon this afternoon. The company broke ground on the site in 1967.
February 1, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Sungshin Cement’s Danyang Plant; snapped just as I finished reading a report while riding the Jungang Line to Yeongcheon this afternoon. The company broke ground on the site in 1967.
Interesting... A branch of the V&A in Dongjak-gu, Sadang-dong?
n.news.naver.com/article/001/...
n.news.naver.com/article/001/...
동작구 "사당동에 영국 V&A박물관 분관 유치…MOU 체결"
동작구(구청장 박일하)는 사당동에 영국 왕립 박물관인 빅토리아 앤 앨버트(V&A) 박물관의 분관 유치를 추진한다고 30일 밝혔다. 이와 관련, 지난 16일 영국 런던 V&A 박물관에서 박일하 구청장, 트리스트램 헌트
n.news.naver.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Interesting... A branch of the V&A in Dongjak-gu, Sadang-dong?
n.news.naver.com/article/001/...
n.news.naver.com/article/001/...
Fruitful visit to the National Assembly Library today to track down some materials.
January 30, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Fruitful visit to the National Assembly Library today to track down some materials.
Amendment to South Korea’s Framework Act for the Settlement of Past History Clears the Way for a Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Amendment to South Korea’s Framework Act Clears the Way for a Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Expanded authority and improved victim access, with lingering institutional constraints.
open.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Amendment to South Korea’s Framework Act for the Settlement of Past History Clears the Way for a Third Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Those who opposed the bill are Reform Party Leader Lee Jun-seok and Floor Leader Cheon Ha-ram, PPP troublemaker Na Kyung-won, and her party colleagues: Kwon Young-se (Seoul, Yongsan), Park Seong-hoon (Busan), Park Jeong-ha (Wonju), Han Gi-ho (Miryang), Kim Min-jeon (Proportional Rep).
January 29, 2026 at 7:13 AM
Those who opposed the bill are Reform Party Leader Lee Jun-seok and Floor Leader Cheon Ha-ram, PPP troublemaker Na Kyung-won, and her party colleagues: Kwon Young-se (Seoul, Yongsan), Park Seong-hoon (Busan), Park Jeong-ha (Wonju), Han Gi-ho (Miryang), Kim Min-jeon (Proportional Rep).
The amendment bill to the Framework Act on Settling the Past has been passed with 168 in favor. 8 opposed and 18 abstained. Victims of state violence and bereaved family members in the gallery bowed as Speaker Woo Won-shik offered congratulations and hope that the 3rd TRC will resolve their pain.
January 29, 2026 at 7:01 AM
The amendment bill to the Framework Act on Settling the Past has been passed with 168 in favor. 8 opposed and 18 abstained. Victims of state violence and bereaved family members in the gallery bowed as Speaker Woo Won-shik offered congratulations and hope that the 3rd TRC will resolve their pain.
Victims and bereaved families therefore have demanded the swift establishment of a 3rd Truth and Reconciliation to ensure continuity with its predecessor, albeit with a revised organizational structure and strengthened investigative authority powers.
January 29, 2026 at 6:02 AM
Victims and bereaved families therefore have demanded the swift establishment of a 3rd Truth and Reconciliation to ensure continuity with its predecessor, albeit with a revised organizational structure and strengthened investigative authority powers.
When the investigation period for the 2nd TRC expired, 2,111 cases were suspended without a decision. Moreover, many foreign adoptees and individuals confined in group confinement facilities were not able to file applications for investigations.
January 29, 2026 at 6:01 AM
When the investigation period for the 2nd TRC expired, 2,111 cases were suspended without a decision. Moreover, many foreign adoptees and individuals confined in group confinement facilities were not able to file applications for investigations.
The 2nd TRC became mired in politics under its second chairperson, Kim Kwang-dong. His controversial remarks and questionable behavior undermined trust in the TRC's impartiality, particularly with regard to cases filed for victims of civilian massacres before and after the Korean War.
January 29, 2026 at 5:54 AM
The 2nd TRC became mired in politics under its second chairperson, Kim Kwang-dong. His controversial remarks and questionable behavior undermined trust in the TRC's impartiality, particularly with regard to cases filed for victims of civilian massacres before and after the Korean War.
The DP and third party lawmakers were against extending the life of the 2nd TRC because its 3rd and final chairperson was former conservative politician Park Seon-young, who had been appointed by Yoon Seok-yeol after his 12.3 martial law and before his impeachment.
January 29, 2026 at 5:47 AM
The DP and third party lawmakers were against extending the life of the 2nd TRC because its 3rd and final chairperson was former conservative politician Park Seon-young, who had been appointed by Yoon Seok-yeol after his 12.3 martial law and before his impeachment.
For background, the 2nd TRC launched on December 10, 2020. It concluded investigations on May 26, 2025. A comprehensive report summarizing its truth-finding activities was published on November 18, 2025, and the Commission's legal dissolution is also scheduled for February 26, 2026.
January 29, 2026 at 5:43 AM
For background, the 2nd TRC launched on December 10, 2020. It concluded investigations on May 26, 2025. A comprehensive report summarizing its truth-finding activities was published on November 18, 2025, and the Commission's legal dissolution is also scheduled for February 26, 2026.
The two negotiating parties in the Nat'l Assembly agreed to hold a plenary session today. A comprehensive amendment bill to the Framework Act on Settling the Past is on the agenda (no. 47). If passed, it will enable the establishment of South Korea's 3rd Truth & Reconciliation Commission on Feb 26.
January 29, 2026 at 5:39 AM
The two negotiating parties in the Nat'l Assembly agreed to hold a plenary session today. A comprehensive amendment bill to the Framework Act on Settling the Past is on the agenda (no. 47). If passed, it will enable the establishment of South Korea's 3rd Truth & Reconciliation Commission on Feb 26.
우리가 서로를 잊지 않는다면 won the 8th Jeju 4.3 Peace Literature Award in 2020 in the non-fiction category. Despite touching on heavy topics, the writing made it a breeze to get through and I'd say it is well worth the time of those interested in knowing more about this disappearing place
January 27, 2026 at 11:39 AM
우리가 서로를 잊지 않는다면 won the 8th Jeju 4.3 Peace Literature Award in 2020 in the non-fiction category. Despite touching on heavy topics, the writing made it a breeze to get through and I'd say it is well worth the time of those interested in knowing more about this disappearing place
She excavated their stories as she got to know them better, and through this gained an appreciation for the traumas many carried with them. Unfortunately, she lost her lease in 2016, even as the Hannam New Town District 3 redevelopment project was then delayed.
January 27, 2026 at 11:36 AM
She excavated their stories as she got to know them better, and through this gained an appreciation for the traumas many carried with them. Unfortunately, she lost her lease in 2016, even as the Hannam New Town District 3 redevelopment project was then delayed.