'Age 12 Rating Inappropriate' vs. 'Concerns Over Chilling Creative Freedom'

[Anchor]

The film "The Assassin(s)," which depicts the fatal shooting of former First Lady Yuk Young-soo, came under fire once again at the National Assembly's parliamentary audit today (October 12). The People Power Party criticized the film's rating for audiences aged 12 and older as inappropriate, while the Democratic Party pushed back, arguing that political interference stifles creative freedom.

Reporter Park Jae-yeon reports.

[Reporter]

At the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee parliamentary audit of the Korean Film Council and the Korea Media Rating Board:

Lawmakers from the People Power Party argued that granting "The Assassin(s)" a rating of 12 and older is unacceptable, citing depictions of violence, profanity, and concerns over historical distortion.

[Yoon Yong-geun / People Power Party Lawmaker: Children born in 2012 know nothing about the situation back in 1974. They will have no choice but to perceive it as historical fact.]

[Kim Byung-jae / Chairperson, Korea Media Rating Board: The final rating is determined through a process of presenting diverse opinions and reaching a consensus.]

The Democratic Party countered that the interpretation of a film belongs to the audience, warning that political interference threatens creative freedom.

[Cho Gye-won / Democratic Party Lawmaker: Even promotional activities and events related to the film are being canceled across the board. Is it right for politics to interfere in this manner?]

[Han Sang-jun / Chairperson, Korean Film Council: It is true that there are concerns this could cast a chill over the film industry.]

Clashes also continued over the film's content and whether it aligns with historical facts.

[Kim Seok-ki / People Power Party Lawmaker: Do you believe that this was not an assassination by North Korea, but rather that our Korean Central Intelligence Agency intervened and President Park Chung-hee was behind it?]

[Kim Yun-ji / President, Korea Creative Content Agency: As far as I know, the film does not portray it that directly. I believe it is appropriate for me not to state my personal opinion.]

Criticism was also raised by the opposition that it was problematic for the Korea Creative Content Agency to grant an "A" rating to categories such as directorial capability and screenplay during its content value evaluation of "The Assassin(s)." In response to the controversy, the agency head stated that cinema is a realm for unleashing imagination where various stories can be told.

(Video by Oh Young-choon, Lee Seung-hwan, Kim Yong-woo | Video Editing by Park Seon-soo)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.