"12+ Rating Inappropriate" vs. "Concerns Over Chilling Creative Freedom"

[Anchor]

Clashes erupted once again over the film 'The Assassin(s)' during the National Assembly's parliamentary audit. The People Power Party criticized the film's 12-and-over rating as inappropriate, while the Democratic Party countered that political interference is chilling 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, the Korea Media Rating Board, and other related agencies.

Lawmakers from the People Power Party argued that granting the film 'The Assassin(s)' a 12-and-over rating is unacceptable, citing depictions of violence and profanity, as well as 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 / Chair of Korea Media Rating Board: The final rating is determined through a process where diverse opinions are expressed and a consensus is reached.]

The Democratic Party pushed back, saying film interpretation belongs to the audience and arguing that political interference threatens creative freedom.

[Cho Gye-won / Democratic Party Lawmaker: All activities and events related to the movie are being canceled. Should politics really interfere like this?]

[Han Sang-jun / Chair of Korean Film Council: It is true that there are concerns the film industry might be dampened.]

Debates also continued over the film's storyline and whether it aligns with historical facts.

[Kim Seok-ki / People Power Party Lawmaker: Do you believe our KCIA was involved and President Park Chung-hee was behind it, rather than it being an assassination by North Korea?]

[Kim Yoon-ji / President of Korea Creative Content Agency: As far as I know, the movie does not express it that directly. I believe it is appropriate not to state my personal opinion.]

Criticism also arose from the opposition party, which took issue with the Korea Creative Content Agency awarding an "A" rating in categories including director capability and screenplay during its content value assessment for 'The Assassin(s).' In response to the controversy, the agency's president replied to the effect that film is a space for imagination and can encompass various stories.

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