"I drove over a million kilometers"... The hidden hero of 'Unanswered Questions', Driver Kim Sang-gyu, shares the record of the Sergeant Yeom case

At the filming sites of the SBS current affairs program 'Unanswered Questions' (hereafter 'Unanswered Questions'), there is a 'hidden hero' who goes beyond being a simple driver to accompany the flow of the case. The protagonist is Driver Kim Sang-gyu, who has been roaming the field for 12 to 13 years, in charge of vehicle dispatch for the SBS current affairs team.

"Driving 300km a day is common"... A driver acting as a general store for the filming site

Kim Sang-gyu has been working in sync with the production team at the 'Unanswered Questions' filming sites since 2010. In the video, he shared stories about his work and field life in a calm yet proud manner. According to Kim, due to the nature of 'Unanswered Questions' investigations, the distance traveled in a single day is considerable. He stated, "You should assume we drive a basic 300km a day," and revealed that at his busiest, he has driven up to 1,200km in a single day. Marathons of driving occur, starting from Mok-dong and passing through Tongyeong, Jinyeong, Gimhae, Busan, and Ulsan, before staying overnight in Daegu. Having continued these operations for about 10 years, his cumulative mileage has exceeded 1 million kilometers.

Beyond simple driving duties, he performs the role of a 'general store' that meets the needs of the production team. Kim said, "Our cars are general stores. If a PD requests it, there is nothing we don't have, such as tape, knives, scissors, or aluminum foil." Additionally, when reenactment filming takes place, he participates as a member of the field, taking on roles such as judge, prosecutor, police officer, or even the criminal at the request of the production team. He explained the organic collaborative structure of the field, saying, "There isn't a role I haven't played as a reenactment actor."

It is also his responsibility to ensure safety on site. Kim stated that he moves as one team with the production staff, using the vehicle's dashcam and his personal mobile phone to record footage in preparation for unexpected situations that may occur when entering dangerous locations.

From ambulance chases to saving lives, intense moments of investigation

Kim recalled the intense moments he experienced during the investigation process. In particular, he mentioned that a chase that occurred while following a tip related to a divorce lawsuit was a scene like a movie. While chasing an ambulance following a tip that someone was trying to secretly take a patient from a specific psychiatric hospital, an intense situation unfolded where a vehicle above followed, and his own vehicle was also pursued. Kim explained the situation at the time, saying, "I chased them with my life on the line," and eventually, by chasing to a psychiatric hospital in the mountains of Icheon, he was able to rescue the subject through a 112 report.

The truth and tears of the Sergeant Yeom case, and the compensation that arrived late

Kim's story leads to the 'Sergeant Yeom case,' which drew social attention. The case of Sergeant Yeom, who died while returning home after a military dinner, was concluded as a death caused by external impact, but efforts to find the truth continued for a long period of 16 years. Kim recalled meeting Sergeant Yeom's elderly mother while investigating the case at the time. He conveyed his emotions from that time, saying, "Because the mother was talking about her child, she cried with such deep resentment, and I cried with her."

The bereaved family, who had appealed their injustice for a long time, was finally able to receive compensation, including the unpaid pension, after 17 years through claims for state compensation and other means. Mentioning the help of the production team and his own contribution in this process, Kim stated, "I received the journalist Seo Dae-pil Award, and I also received a commemorative plaque and prize money made by the production team." He expressed his gratitude toward the production team, saying, "They are very warm people."