In a historic moment, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) formally apologized and withdrew its appeal in the long-running case over the infamous cultural blacklist, a covert operation during the Lee Myung Bak administration that targeted artists critical of the government.
On November 7, the NIS released an official statement titled “Apologies to the victims of the cultural blacklist and to the public,” recognizing a recent ruling by the Seoul High Court on October 17. The court held the government responsible for compiling a blacklist of cultural figures, pressuring broadcasters to exclude them from programs, and systematically cracking down on dissenting voices.
“We respect the Court’s ruling and, at the direction of the Ministry of Justice, have decided not to proceed with the final appeal,” we read in the press release. The agency further expressed its opinion “deep regret for the material and psychological damage caused to those affected”.
Among those blacklisted was actress Kim Gyu Ri, who reacted to the news with mixed emotions on social media.
“Finally the sentence is confirmed. I have suffered for years. Honestly, the trauma is so serious that even hearing the word ‘blacklist’ triggers a panic reaction”, he wrote.
Kim also revealed heartbreaking personal experiences. At the height of the blacklist operation, she was alerted by a colleague that a National Intelligence Service office had opened in her neighborhood. She recalled strange individuals loitering outside her home for days, mysterious phone calls while attending awards ceremonies and last-minute cancellations of acting contracts.
In one chilling episode, after expressing his thoughts on the blacklist on social media, he claims to have received a death threat: “If you don’t shut up, I’ll kill you.” Kim also claimed that his phone had been tapped during that time.
“They say they apologized, but to whom?” Kim asked. “The wounds remain and I only feel emptiness. However, I welcome the decision to withdraw the appeal.”
The cultural blacklisting scandal erupted in 2017 under the Moon Jae In administration, revealing a list of 82 prominent figures – including actors, writers, musicians and directors – who were unofficially barred from public platforms for opposing government policies.
Notable names on the list included Moon Sung Keun, Kim Mi Hwa, Yoon Do Hyun, Park Chan Wook, and Bong Joon Ho. In 2017, 36 victims filed lawsuits seeking damages. Although the initial trial established that former President Lee Myung Bak and former NIS head Won Sei Hoon were owed compensation, it initially denied state liability due to the statute of limitations having expired.
However, the recent High Court ruling reversed this, ordering the state to pay ₩5 million (about $3,600) to each plaintiff along with the former officials.
The NIS has since pledged to “reflect deeply on the abuse of power entrusted by the people” and promised to “regain public trust through reforms”.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
