Re-examination of Kim Jae-kyu's Case Set to Begin After 45 Years

On July 16, the first hearing of the retrial for Kim Jae-kyu, the former head of the Central Intelligence Agency (now the National Intelligence Service), will commence, marking 45 years since he was sentenced to death for the assassination of President Park Chung-hee on October 26, 1979. Kim, who was executed just four days after his death sentence was handed down on May 20, 1980, famously stated during his trial, "Your Honor, the outcome of this trial will be judged by the people in four to five months."

Despite his claims of not having any intention to instigate a coup, the fact remains that he assassinated the sitting president. Supporters of Park view Kim as a traitor and a coup instigator, while some in the progressive camp regard him as a figure who dismantled the Yushin regime to prevent greater suffering.

Historically, however, Kim's legacy remains ambiguous. Kim Sung-shin, a professor at Hanyang University and Kim Jae-kyu's nephew, expressed to Weekly Chosun that discussions surrounding the events of 45 years ago have not progressed significantly, likening the situation to a 'frozen' state. The retrial will legally reassess whether Kim's actions constituted a coup and if the original trial was just. The outcome could redefine how future generations perceive this pivotal moment in Korean history.

The retrial was initiated by Kim's younger sister in 2020, a significant step considering that the family had previously been hesitant to pursue a retrial or even a restoration of Kim's honor. Despite the democratization of South Korea post-1987, the family faced fears of public backlash. Kim Sung-shin noted that even during the Democratic Party's governance, which has historically sought to reevaluate events like the Gwangju Uprising, there has been little movement regarding the October 26 incident.

An interesting anecdote shared by Kim Sung-shin involved a meeting between Father Ham Se-woong of the Catholic Priests for Justice and then-President Roh Moo-hyun, where the priest advocated for Kim's honor restoration. However, the response from the Blue House was lukewarm, indicating a lack of political incentive to pursue the matter.

The retrial's chances of success were initially low, with legal experts estimating a 10-20% likelihood of retrial approval. However, on February 19, 2025, the court decided to proceed with the retrial, citing new evidence related to allegations of torture during the original investigation.

The key issues in the retrial will focus on whether Kim's motive was indeed to overthrow the government and whether the investigation process was lawful. The court will examine claims of torture and the rapid conclusion of the original trial, which lasted only 16 days for the first instance and just six days for the appeal.

As the retrial unfolds, it may lead to a reevaluation of Kim Jae-kyu's actions and their implications for the Yushin dictatorship. Ultimately, Kim Sung-shin believes the true purpose of the retrial is to create historical documentation that future generations can reference, allowing for an objective assessment of the events surrounding the assassination.