Park Geunryeong Criticizes "Assassin(s)" for Title Implication: "Driving a Nail into the Hearts of the Bereaved"

Draws the Line at Criticism of Actors

Historical Distortion Debate Spreads to Politics

Clash Between Ruling and Opposition Parties at National Assembly Audit

Park Geunryeong, the second daughter of former President Park Chung-hee and former Chairperson of the Yuk Young Foundation, expressed a critical view regarding the controversy over historical distortion surrounding the film "Assassin(s)." She stated, "Freedom of creation comes with responsibility and duty." However, she also urged people to refrain from excessive criticism and protests directed at the film's actors.

On the 6th, during an interview with Channel A, Park raised an issue with the use of the term "s" in the movie's title. She remarked, "When it says 'Assassin(s),' people may interpret it as referring to either the presidential security service or my father," adding, "If that's the case, given historical and factual circumstances, it would mean that Moon Se-gwang and my father are being portrayed as accomplices."

Former Chairwoman of the Yukyoung Foundation Geunryung Park and Former Chairman of the Republican Party Dongwook Shin. The Asia Business Daily DB

The film "Assassin(s)" centers around the attempted assassination of President Park Chung-hee and the fatal shooting of his wife, Yuk Young-soo, which took place on August 15, 1974. During the film, characters investigate the real perpetrators and the possibility of additional accomplices in the incident, suggesting potential involvement of powerful organizations at the time, such as the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. This aspect has sparked debate over whether the film distorts historical facts.

Park also pointed out that Moon Se-gwang was executed for his role in the incident, expressing concern that the film could give viewers a distorted perception of actual events. She emphasized, "Freedom of creation comes with responsibility and duty," arguing that since young audiences can watch the film, creators should be especially cautious when basing stories on historical events. Recalling the national funeral of Yuk Young-soo, Park shared her feelings as a family member, saying many citizens gathered around Gwanghwamun to mourn her mother's death. She commented that the movie's content is "like driving a nail into the hearts of those people."

On the 4th, members of a conservative group held a rally condemning the production company and actor in front of the home of Yoo Hae-jin, the lead actor of the movie Assassin(s), located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Nevertheless, Park drew a clear line regarding criticism or protests specifically targeting the actors. She stated, "They are simply performers," and insisted that if there are problems, scrutiny should be directed at those who plan and produce the film rather than the individual actors. She also told her supporters, "I hope you do not get involved in unnecessary lawsuits."

CEO Donghyuk Jang held a press conference on the 5th at the birthplace of the late Yeongsoo Yuk, wife of former President Park Chung-hee, in Okcheon, Chungbuk, condemning the movie The Cave Lions, which has sparked controversy over historical distortion. Photo by Yonhap News.

The controversy over "Assassin(s)" has also spread into political circles. During a National Assembly Political Affairs Committee audit on this day, a dispute arose between the ruling and opposition parties over the fact that the Gyeonggi Northern Center for Veterans, under the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, had promoted the film for free viewing for veterans’ week. The People Power Party argued that it was inappropriate to use government funds to support a film accused of historical distortion, while the Democratic Party of Korea countered that the film did not overturn historical facts, emphasizing that it belonged to the realm of artistic imagination.

Amid this controversy, the movie continues to perform well at the box office. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated box office information system, "Assassin(s)" ranked first at the box office during the National Foundation Day holiday, and as of the 6th, its cumulative audience has surpassed 2.41 million.

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