Yuk Young-soo Memorial Foundation Urges Immediate Halt of "Assassin(s)" Film Screenings

"Distortion of Historical Facts," Foundation Claims
"Production Company and Cast Must Officially Apologize"

The Yuk Young-soo Memorial Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the Foundation) on September 29 urged the immediate suspension of screenings of the film "Assassin(s)," which deals with the shooting incident of Yuk Young-soo.

Promotional material for "Assassin(s)" displayed at a cinema in Seoul on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News

In a statement released that day, the Foundation strongly demanded that the film's production company and cast officially apologize for the distortion of historical facts and immediately halt the screening of the film.

The Foundation stated, "It is already clearly established in investigative and court records that Mun Se-gwang was recruited by members of the pro-North Korean General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and committed the assassination of Yuk Young-soo. The film's portrayal of the former Korea Central Intelligence Agency or President Park Chung-hee planning the assassination of the First Lady for political purposes is contrary to historical fact and distorts the essence of the incident."

The Foundation further expressed deep regret over the act of turning a national tragedy into material for entertainment and profit, thereby causing division within the nation. It stated, "No matter how much the film is veiled as a form of artistic expression, it is clear that the intention delivered to the audience amounts to defamation of the deceased and serves political purposes rather than artistic merit, and thus cannot be exempt from legal responsibility."

Additionally, the Foundation said, "In the future, we, together with the entire nation, will express anger toward any group attempting to achieve political objectives by twisting history in this manner, and we will hold them fully accountable."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.