Real Life Hero

[Anchor Lead]

The identity of the real life hero of the Korean movie "A Taxi Driver," which is based on true events during Korea's 1980 democratic uprising, is gradually coming to light. His name was Kim Sa-bok, who sadly has passed away. His son visited the city of Gwangju, which his father never forgot throughout his life.

[Pkg]

Taxi driver Kim Sa-bok drove a German journalist, Jurgen Hinzpeter, who broke the story of Korea's pro democracy movement to the world, from Seoul to the city of Gwangju in 1980. Kim's son has unveiled old photos of his father taken with Hinzpeter while the movie's production firm also received confirmation from the wife of the late German journalist that the person in the photo is her husband. The movie's real life hero has come into existence. Kim Sa-bok died in 1984 and his son has now visited Gwangju where his father left indelible traces 37 years ago. The son visited the city to attend an exhibition held in the memory of Hinzpeter whom his father wanted to meet again when he was alive.

[Soundbite] Kim Seong-pil(Eldest Son of Late Kim Sa-bok) : "That photo...well, it's heartbreaking."

The son stares at photos of the sites of the democratic uprising where his father must have drove around in his cab. He nods once again at his father's accomplishments.

[Soundbite] Im Jong-soo(Director, May 18 Memorial Culture Center) : "Hinzpeter and Kim Sa-bok's son have met after 37 years."

As his father's hidden endeavors have now come to light, the son's remaining wish is to have his dad's remains buried in Gwangju where a memorial monument for the German journalist is also located. Gwangju city is thoughtfully considering this plan.