"Please Watch the Film First": Fallout from 'The Assassin(s)' Spreads

Representative Lee Jae-jung of the Democratic Party of Korea, who chairs the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, criticized the controversy surrounding the film "The Assassin(s)," stating, "The film did not distort history; the political sphere distorted the film."

Chair Lee wrote on Facebook yesterday, "I had maintained the stance that political intervention should be avoided as much as possible, but as excessive and violent situations against the cast and creators have escalated, and I felt the political circle's overreach could no longer be tolerated, I went to the cinema alone."

Lee remarked, "The film did not place the possibility of President Park's involvement even within the realm of cinematic imagination. Who would dare make a beloved wife a sacrificial lamb for power? No matter how critical a stance I hold toward President Park Chung-hee, within my memories and sentiments regarding the Park family's affection and their familial relationships, it was impossible to imagine such a thing while watching the film."

Lee also asked, "Be honest. Isn't there something else in the film that makes you uncomfortable and displeased?" adding, "Didn't you just dislike having things brought back to the surface—such as the prolonged dictatorship symbolized by the Park Chung-hee regime's emergency measures, the abuses of the KCIA (Korean Central Intelligence Agency), the suppression of the press, and the behind-the-scenes realities of the 1965 Korea-Japan Treaty?"

Addressing the People Power Party's demand to summon witnesses related to the film for the parliamentary audit, she asserted, "To the lawmakers planning to ask audit questions or comment on the film, please watch the movie first before speaking," adding, "If you join this bandwagon without having even watched the film and without any basis for judgment, you will end up feeling ashamed of yourselves."

She continued, "Dragging this film into the parliamentary audit is also gagging creativity and an act of outrageous violence. As chair of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, I will remain resolute in upholding principles."

Released on September 23, "The Assassin(s)" centers on the August 15, 1974 incident in which First Lady Yuk Young-soo was shot and killed at the National Liberation Day ceremony. It has sparked controversy as some critics claim the film distorts historical facts by portraying former President Park Chung-hee as if he were involved in his wife's death.

As the situation escalated, with hardline conservative groups staging protest rallies outside the residence of actor Yoo Hai-jin, who stars in the film, his agency warned, "We plan to take all possible measures to protect the actor's safety." Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young also stated, "I have requested strict law enforcement from authorities, including the National Police Agency, regarding illegal acts such as threats and intimidation against film personnel and the cast."

Reported by Lee Ho-geon | Video by Seo Byung-wook | Graphics by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.