South Korean Film 'The Assassin(s)' Sparks Right-Wing Backlash Over 1974 Park Chung-hee Plot
Released in September, Hur Jin-ho's film The Assassin(s) has attracted over three million viewers in South Korea. The narrative centers around the 1974 attempt to assassinate dictator Park Chung-hee during a public event. The assailant, Mun Se-gwang, a 22-year-old ethnic Korean from Japan, alleged that he was prompted by North Korea. He infiltrated South Korea using a forged passport and shot at Park, who was taking cover behind a podium, while first lady Yuk Young-soo was tragically killed. Mun refuted claims of shooting her, and the absence of ballistic evidence has led to various conspiracy theories. The film has incited backlash from right-wing politicians, resulting in boycotts and defamation lawsuits against Hur Jin-ho, while Park's children expressed their support for him, noting his grief over his wife's death.
Fatti principali
- The Assassin(s), directed by Hur Jin-ho, was released in September and sold over three million tickets in South Korea.
- The film depicts the 1974 assassination attempt on dictator Park Chung-hee during a public celebration of liberation from Japanese colonial rule.
- First lady Yuk Young-soo was shot in the head and died shortly after the attack; gunman Mun Se-gwang was a 22-year-old ethnic Korean born in Japan who claimed North Korean instigation.
- Witnesses heard at least seven shots but not all shell casings were found; no public ballistic analysis exists for the bullet that killed Yuk.
- Conspiracy theories include never-found accomplices and the unproven claim that Park arranged the attack to kill his wife.
- Right-wing lawmakers accused Hur Jin-ho of making a political film, sought festival boycotts, and one filed defamation charges against the director and production company.
- The cast skipped the Busan International Film Festival over assault fears, and lead actor Yoo Hae-jin received police protection.
- Park Chung-hee ruled South Korea from 1961 until his assassination by his own secret police in 1979.
Entità
Artisti
- Hur Jin-ho
- Park Chung-hee
- Yuk Young-soo
- Mun Se-gwang
- Yoo Hae-jin
Istituzioni
- Busan International Film Festival
Luoghi
- South Korea
- Seoul
- Japan
- North Korea
- Busan